BENEV'OLENCE, noun [Latin benevolentia, of bene, well and volo, to will or wish. See Will.] 1. The disposition to do good; good will; kindness; charitableness; the love, of mankind, accompanied with a desire to promote their happiness. The benevolence of God is one of his moral attributes; that attribute which delights in the happiness of intelligent beings. 'God is love.' 1 John 4:1. 2. An act of kindness; good done; charity given. 3. A species of contribution or tax illegally exacted by arbitrary kings of England.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI