different between princely vs benign

English

Etymology

prince +? -ly

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?p??nsli/
• Hyphenation: prince?ly

Adjective

princely (comparative princelier, superlative princeliest)

1. Relating to a prince; regal; royal.

   princely birth or character

2. Befitting a prince; grand; lavish or opulent.

   No expense was spared in making it a princely residence.

See also

• princely sum

Synonyms

• regal, grand

Translations

Adverb

princely (comparative more princely, superlative most princely)

1. (obsolete) In the manner of a royal prince's conduct.
   • c. 1597, William Shakespeare, Henry IV, Part 2, Act II, Scene 2,^[1]

     […] my appetite was not princely got;

English

Etymology

From Middle English benigne, benygne, from Old French benigne, from Latin benignus (“kind, good”), from bene (“well”) + genus (“origin, kind”). Compare malign.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /b??na?n/

Adjective

benign (comparative benigner or more benign, superlative benignest or most benign)

1. Kind; gentle; mild.
   • 1826, Mary Shelley, The Last Man, part 1, chapter 9

     But though we both entertained these ideas, we differed in their application. Resentment added also a sting to my censure; and I reprobated Raymond's conduct in severe terms. Adrian was more benign, more considerate.

2. (of a climate or environment) mild and favorable
3. (in combination) Not harmful to the environment.

4. (medicine) Not posing any serious threat to health; not particularly aggressive or recurrent.

Synonyms

• (medicine): non-malignant

Antonyms

• malign
• malignant

Derived terms

• benignly
• benignant
• benignity
• benign neglect

Translations