c. 1400, "disposition to do good," from Old French benivolence and directly from Latin benevolentia "good feeling, good will, kindness," from bene "well" (see bene-) + volantem (nominative volens) present participle of velle "to wish" (see will (v.)). In English history, this was the name given to forced extra-legal loans or contributions to the crown, first so called 1473 by Edward IV, who cynically "asked" it as a token of good will toward his rule.
双语例句
1. Such benevolence, however, was not completely disinterested.
然而这样的善举并非完全出于大公无私。
来自柯林斯例句
2. We definitely do not apply a policy of benevolence to the reactionaries.
我们对反动派决不施仁政.
来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
3. He did it out of pure benevolence.
他做那件事完全出于善意.
来自《简明英汉词典》
4. A bit of benevolence from people in power is not what we need.
我们需要的不是当权者的小恩小惠。
来自柯林斯例句
5. The strength of altruism lies in the fact that altruistic acts undeniably occur in any society and that moral codes universally advocate altruism or benevolence and condemn selfishness.
