- benevolence
- late 14c., "disposition to do good," from L. benevolentia "good feeling, good will, kindness," from bene "well" (see bene-) + volantem (nom. volens) prp. of velle "to wish" (see will (v.)). In Eng. 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.