Definition of Beneficence

1. Noun. Doing good; feeling beneficent.

Generic synonyms: Benevolence
Derivative terms: Beneficent
Antonyms: Maleficence

2. Noun. The quality of being kind or helpful or generous.
Specialized synonyms: Free Grace, Grace, Grace Of God
Generic synonyms: Good, Goodness
Attributes: Beneficent
Derivative terms: Beneficent
Antonyms: Maleficence

Definition of Beneficence

1. n. The practice of doing good; active goodness, kindness, or charity; bounty springing from purity and goodness.

Definition of Beneficence

1. Noun. An act of philanthropy, a kind deed; an act which benefits someone (else.) ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Beneficence

1. [n -S]

Medical Definition of Beneficence

1. The ethical principle of doing good. Origin: L. Beneficentia, fr. Bene, well, + facio, to do (05 Mar 2000)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Beneficence

benefactions
benefactive
benefactive case
benefactive cases
benefactive role
benefactor
benefactors
benefactour
benefactress
benefactresses
benefactrix
benefacts
benefic
benefice
beneficed
beneficence (current term)
beneficences
beneficent
beneficential
beneficently
benefices
beneficial
beneficial owner
beneficially
beneficialness
beneficiaries
beneficiary
beneficiate
beneficiated
beneficiates

Literary usage of Beneficence

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Popular Science Monthly by Harry Houdini Collection (Library of Congress) (1893)
"Negative beneficence here conduces to public benefit while it mid- gates private ... A due negative beneficence will respect an antagonist's amour propre; ..."

2. A Theological Dictionary: Containing Definitions of All Religious Terms; a by Charles Buck (1838)
"The objecta of our beneficence are all those who are in the sphere of our influence end ... It is distinguished from beneficence, that being the practice, ..."

3. An Epitome of the Synthetic Philosophy by Frederick Howard Collins, Herbert Spencer (1894)
"Full beneficence in this relation is attained when each is solicitous about the ... As parental conduct exemplifies beneficence more than other conduct, ..."

4. A Theological Dictionary: Containing Definitions of All Religious Terms; a by Charles Buck (1830)
"The objects of our beneficence are all those who arc in the sphere of our ... The means of beneficence are—communication of temporal supplies, Gal. vi. ..."

5. Works by Herbert Spencer (1898)
"PARENTAL beneficence. § 434. Already in the chapter on " Parenthood " forming part ... Thoughtless beneficence has to be replaced by thoughtful beneficence. ..."

6. Diderot and the Encyclopædists by John Morley (1897)
"Was there ever a greater perversity than to talk of self-interest, when you mean beneficence, or than to insist that because beneficence has become bound up ..."

7. The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith (1853)
"OF JUSTICE AND beneficence. CHAPTER I. Comparison of those two Virtues. ACTIONS of a beneficent tendency, which proceed from proper ..."

8. Lectures on the Ethics of T.H. Green, Mr. Herbert Spencer, and J. Martineau by Henry Sidgwick (1902)
"beneficence is not needful for social equilibrium, and therefore is of private ... (on Negative beneficence and Positive beneficence], as clearness and ..."

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