| 释义 |
benevolence|bɪˈnɛvələns|
Forms: (5 bienueullance), 5–6 beneuolens, beniuolence, benyuolence, -ens, 4– benevolence, (4–7 beneu-).
[a. OF. benivolence, ad. L. benevolentia well-wishing, f. benevolent-em: see benevolent. This OF. form was a learned or semi-popular adaptation of the Lat. word; its genuine F. descendant being bienvoillance, later -veuillance (whence Caxton's bienveullance), now corruptly bienveillance. In Eng. benivolence was further latinized as benevolence at an early period (if this was not directly from L.]
1. Disposition to do good, desire to promote the happiness of others, kindness, generosity, charitable feeling (as a general state or disposition towards mankind at large).
c1384Chaucer Moder of God 10 Sauer of vs by thy beneuolence. 1423James I. King's Q. xcix, Hye Quene of Lufe! sterre of beneuolence. 1481Caxton Myrr. iii. xii. 159 Of the fader..he [Plato] sayde the power and puissaunce, of the sone, the sappyence, and of the holy gost the bienueullaunce. 1552Lyndesay Tragedy 125 With supporte of sum Lordis beneuolens. 1605Thynne Animadv. App. (1865) 111 By the..support of your Majesties benevolence and liberality. 1726Butler Serm. Hum. Nat. i. Wks. 1874 II. 6 If there be any affection in human nature, the object and end of wch is the good of another, this is itself benevolence, or the love of another. 1781Gibbon Decl. & F. III. l. 142 Benevolence is the foundation of justice. 1876Mozley Univ. Serm. ix. 192 The poor and dependent..exercise our active benevolence.
†2.
a. Favourable feeling or disposition, as an emotion manifested towards another; affection; goodwill (towards a particular person or on a particular occasion). to do one's benevolence: to lend one's friendly offices. Obs.
1423James I. King's Q. cviii, Though I geve the beneuolence, It standis noght ȝit in myn aduertence. c1430Lydg. Bochas Tab. Contents (1554) Bij, Roboam..loste the benevolence of his people. 1526Tindale 1 Cor. vii. 3 Let the man geve vnto the wyfe due benevolence. 1598Shakes. Merry W. i. i. 32, I..will be glad to do my beneuolence. 1645Ussher Body Div. (1647) 284 When due benevolence is not yielded, although there be aptness there⁓unto. 1817Jas. Mill Brit. Ind. II. iv. ii. 70 His dislike of application and control prevented his acquiring the benevolence of his superiors.
b. love of benevolence: see love n.1 2.
3. concr. An expression of goodwill, an act of kindness; a gift or grant of money; a contribution for the support of the poor.
c1425Wyntoun Cron. vii. vii. 157 Recoveryd þe benevolens Wyth trawayle. 1583Stubbes Anat. Abus. ii. 101 To make collections for the poore, to gather beneuolences, and contributions of euerie one that was disposed to give. 1622Ley in Fortescue Papers 175 What Benevolence we would willingly bestow towardes the Palatinate. 1650Fuller Pisgah 400 Convenient for such as went up to sacrifice, to cast in their benevolence. 1766Entick London IV. 58 Towards the charge whereof the companies gave great benevolences. 1868Milman St. Paul's xi. 282 The City of London gave first a great benevolence.
4. Eng. Hist. A forced loan or contribution levied, without legal authority, by the kings of England on their subjects. First so called in 1473 when astutely asked by Edward IV., as a token of goodwill towards his rule. Sometimes loosely applied to similar impositions elsewhere.
1483Act 1 Rich. III, ii. §1 A newe imposicion named a benevolence. 1494Fabyan vii. 664 He rode about the more parte of the lande, and vsed the people in suche fayre maner, that he reysed therby notable summes of money, the whiche way of the leuyinge of this money was after named a benyuolence. c1534Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist. II. 161 Perchance very many gave that benevolence with evil will. 1644Ld. Digby in Rushworth Hist. Coll. iii. (1692) I. 31 The granting of Subsidies, and that under so preposterous a name as of a Benevolence, for that which is a malevolence indeed. 1661Pepys Diary 31 Aug., The Benevolence proves..an occasion of so much discontent every where, that it had better it had never been set up. 1775Chatham in Parlt., The spirit which now resists your taxation in America is the same which formerly opposed loans, benevolences, and ship-money in England. 1875Stubbs Const. Hist. III. xviii. 213. 1882 Farrar Early Chr. I. 56 Resentment was kept alive by the benevolences and imposts which Nero now demanded. |