different between propitious vs benign

English

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman and Old French propicius, from Latin propitius (“favorable, well-disposed, kind”). Compare French propice, Portuguese propício and Spanish propicio.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /p?o??p???s/
• Hyphenation: pro?pi?tious

Adjective

propitious (comparative more propitious, superlative most propitious)

1. Favorable; benevolent.

   Synonym: favorable

   Antonym: unpropitious

2. Advantageous.

   Synonym: advantageous

3. Characteristic of a good omen.

   Synonyms: auspicious, fortunate, promising
4. (archaic) Favorably disposed towards someone.

Antonyms

• unpropitious

Translations

Related terms

• propitiate
• propitiation
• propitiously
• propitiousness

Further reading

• propitious in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• propitious in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• propitious at OneLook Dictionary Search

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