Main Entry:

be·nign

Pronunciation:

\bi-ˈnīn\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English benigne, from Anglo-French, from Latin benignus, from bene + gignere to beget — more at kin

Date:

14th century

1: of a gentle disposition : gracious <a benign teacher>2 a: showing kindness and gentleness <benign faces> b: favorable, wholesome <a benign climate>3 a: of a mild type or character that does not threaten health or life ; especially : not becoming cancerous <a benign lung tumor> b: having no significant effect : harmless <environmentally benign>

— be·nig·ni·ty \-ˈnig-nə-tē\ noun

— be·nign·ly \-ˈnīn-lē\ adverb