BENIGNITY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does benignity mean? 

• BENIGNITY (noun)
  The noun BENIGNITY has 2 senses:

1. the quality of being kind and gentle

2. a kind act

  Familiarity information: BENIGNITY used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BENIGNITY (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The quality of being kind and gentle

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

benignancy; benignity; graciousness

Hypernyms ("benignity" is a kind of...):

good; goodness (moral excellence or admirableness)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A kind act

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

benignity; kindness

Hypernyms ("benignity" is a kind of...):

action (something done (usually as opposed to something said))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "benignity"):

benefaction; benevolence (an act intending or showing kindness and good will)

cupboard love (a show of affection motivated by selfishness)

favor; favour (an act of gracious kindness)

forgiveness; pardon (the act of excusing a mistake or offense)

endearment (the act of showing affection)

consideration; thoughtfulness (a considerate and thoughtful act)

 Context examples 

On her deathbed the fortitude and benignity of this best of women did not desert her.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

I learnt, from this, that Miss Mills had had her trials in the course of a chequered existence; and that to these, perhaps, I might refer that wise benignity of manner which I had already noticed.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

She was a long time about it, and when she returned, he was stretched out with both arms under his head, sound asleep, while Aunt March had pulled down the curtains and sat doing nothing in an unusual fit of benignity.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

For a few moments I gazed with delight on her dark eyes, fringed by deep lashes, and her lovely lips; but presently my rage returned; I remembered that I was for ever deprived of the delights that such beautiful creatures could bestow and that she whose resemblance I contemplated would, in regarding me, have changed that air of divine benignity to one expressive of disgust and affright.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)