Middle English Dictionary Entry
benīgn(e)lī adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | benīgn(e)lī adv. Also bening(e)li, bening(e)neli, benineli, benig(e)li. |
| Etymology | From benigne . |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) With good will, in a friendly manner, graciously, kindly, gently, mercifully, generously; of a superior: ?condescendingly; (b) beneficially, auspiciously.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 370)4 Kings 25.27 : Euilmeredoch, kyng of Babiloyne..rerede up the heued of Joachym..fro prisone, and he spac to hym benyngly.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)3017 : Thanne Melibe took hem vp fro the ground ful benygnely [vrr. benyngly, benigly].
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.373 : He herkneth nat benygnly [vr. meeklye] the compleynte of the pouere.
- c1425(c1400) Primer (Cmb Dd.11.82)40 : Lord! do þou benyngneli in þi good wille to sion.
- (1427) Proc.Privy C.3.240 : Many oþer gentill wordes my said lord..seide þere so benyngly.
- c1430(c1380) Chaucer PF (Benson-Robinson)370 : Everich of hem dide his besy cure, Benygnely to chese..his formel or his make.
- a1450(c1433) Lydg.St.Edm.(Hrl 2278)421/442 : They..benyngnely [vr.benignely]..declaryd his ffadrys benysoun.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)1/14 : How mercyfully, how benyngly, & how charytefully he [Crist] meued & stered a synful caytyf vnto hys love.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)378 : Forto worche toward alle oure neiȝboris louyngly, attendauntly, riȝtwisly, mekeli, accordingly, treuly, benignely and largely.
- (1445) ?Bokenham Claudian CS (Add 11814)271/167 : Thou..Art glad to see peple at thi borde and euery man by his name Benygnely clepist.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)869 : Thus wente sche hom..and ful benyngnely lyvede there.
- (1464) RParl.5.511a : Rauf Percy Knyght..was also by oure Soverayne Lord taken benignely unto his grace.
- (1465) Procl.Edw.IV in Archaeol.12406 : He that sheweth..suche matter..shall be benignely herd and have right a goode thanke.
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)21/32 : Eche suche dede..is forto lyue to god goostly, obediently, riȝtwisly, mekely, trewly, benyngneli, or largely.
b
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.57 : His grace he made..for to schyne Benyngnely vnto the erthe dovn.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.6125 : Whil þat þe wynde, callid zephirus, Benignely enspired hath oon lofte Thatempre eyr.
- 1532-1897(c1385) Usk TL (Thynne:Skeat)20/43 : Ye, lady, maken al the hevenly bodyes goodly and benignely to don her cours.
2.
In various contexts with possible modifications in meaning: (a) good-naturedly, patiently; accepten ~, receven ~, sufferen ~, taken ~; (b) ?humbly, meekly, submissively; answeren ~, asken ~, preien ~, serven ~; (c) generously, ?magnanimously; foryeven ~, graunten ~, yeven ~; (d) affectionately; loven ~; (e) graciously, ?hospitably; receven ~; (f) compassionately; sen ~.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.109 : Penitence destreyneth man to accepte benygnely euery peyne that hym is enioyned.
- c1440 Bonav.Medit.(3) (Thrn)201 : Se how paciently and how benyngly he resayuede þe haylsyng & the kyssynge of þe traytoure.
- a1456(a1407) Scogan MB (Ashm 59)7 : Myn unconning taketh benignely.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)18/6 : Þou owist..pray mekely god..þat þou mowe suffir benignely.
b
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2993 : Thise trespassours and repentynge folk..answereden ful mekely and benygnely..to hire lord Melibe.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.21 : This worthy clerk benygnely [vr. benyngely] answerde.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)12.114 : Clerkes..ȝyue mercy..if men it wole aske Buxomelich & benygneliche.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)prol.66 : To whom I preie ful benignely, Of her goodnesse to haue compassioun.
- a1500 Rule Minoresses (Bod 585)87/23 : Þe syke sustris..been seruid bi alle maner þinges..benyneli, couenabelliche, & ententifeliche.
- ?a1500 Euery man delytyth (Bod 939)5 : And i am one off them..That wyll be besy..Her for to serue beningli & purchace Her mercy.
c
- a1475(1450) Scrope DSP (Bod 943)18/4 : If thei be suche as hath doon you harme, forgeue it theym benignely with a meke spirit.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)20 : He shethede the faire swerd..and graunted me bothe that oon and that oother benigneliche.
- c1450 Lydg.SSecr.Ctn.(Sln 2464)2055 : It is to the also greet avaylle, benygly to gyff audience.
d
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Mch.(Manly-Rickert)E.2093 : Ful ofte wepeth fresshe May, That loueth Damyan so benygnely [vrr. benyngly, benyngnely, benygely].
e
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Deeds 28.7 : The prince of the yle..resceyuynge vs thre dayes benygnely [L benigne].
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)41/14 : Þai schuld..benignely [Tit: buxomly; OF benignement] ressayue me and all my felaws.
- c1440 PLAlex.(Thrn)71/27 : Þe men of þe cuntree resayfed hym benyngly & wirchipfully, and gaffe hym and his Oste grete giftes.
f
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)3060 : Preying ȝow, of wommanly pyte, Benygnly [vrr. benygnely, benyngly, benyngnely, benyngenely] and graciously to se how of Grece all þe Chyualrye Of her lyues stont in Iupartie.
- c1450(a1400) Orolog.Sap.(Dc 114)348/7 : O most mercyfulle lorde godde, beholde and see benignelye oure tribulaciones.