Benevolence

n. generosity, kindness

For a characteristic of many gods, see omnibenevolence For the phrenological faculty, see Benevolence (Phrenology) Benevolence characterizes the true goodness of the mind and spirit, the unbiased kindness to do good. It confers thought and regard for the welfare of other people, and finds expression in sympathy and kindly gentleness and compassion, with charitableness and kindness. It is the expression of agape love (greek word for unconditional love).
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Noun
1. disposition to do good
(antonym) malevolence, malignity
(hypernym) love
(hyponym) beneficence
2. an inclination to do kind or charitable acts
(hypernym) kindness
(hyponym) charity, brotherly love
(attribute) benevolent, good
3. an act intending or showing kindness and good will
(synonym) benefaction
(hypernym) kindness, benignity

(n.)
The disposition to do good; good will; charitableness; love of mankind, accompanied with a desire to promote their happiness.
  

(n.)
An act of kindness; good done; charity given.
  

(n.)
A species of compulsory contribution or tax, which has sometimes been illegally exacted by arbitrary kings of England, and falsely represented as a gratuity.
  

The doing a kind action to another, from mere good will, without any legal obligation. It is a moral duty only, and it cannot be enforced by law. A good man is benevolent to the poor, but no law can compel him to be so.

English Law. An aid given by the subjects to the king under a pretended gratuity, but in realty it was an extortion and imposition.
   

This entry contains material from Bouvier's Legal Dictionary, a work published in the 1850's.