benignity

American  

[bih-nig-ni-tee] / bɪˈnɪg nɪ ti /

noun

PLURAL

benignities

1. the quality of being benign; kindness.

2. Archaic. a good deed or favor; an instance of kindness.

   benignities born of selfless devotion.

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benignity British  

/ bɪˈnɪɡnɪtɪ /

noun

1. the quality of being benign; favourable attitude

2. a kind or gracious act

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Other Word Forms

• unbenignity noun

Etymology

Origin of benignity

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English benignite, from Middle French, Old French, from Latin benignitās; benign, -ity

Example Sentences

He writes: “‘Carbon Ideologies’ largely neglects solar power, that being associated with decentralization and environmental benignity.

From New York Times

“Nowhere else do you get a greater feel for the benignity of rain — or of water in any form.”

From New York Times

There are rapidly percussive or explosive jumps, footwork whose meters take arithmetic into pure form, facial expressions in which demonic glares melt into seraphic benignity.

From New York Times

Any hope of sneaking in some bold or challenging theological notion, or moral proposition, rests on the benignity of this initial encounter.

From The New Yorker

At no point did I find myself questioning the benignity of the author’s original impulse; indeed, the book is as sincere, in its way, as anything I’ve ever managed to finish.

From The Wall Street Journal