Beneficient

/bɪˈnɛfɪsənt/ adjective

Definition

Performing acts of kindness and charity; actively doing good to others.

Etymology

From Latin 'beneficens,' composed of 'bene' (well) and 'faciens' (doing, from 'facere'). This is an archaic or variant spelling of 'beneficent,' meaning generous and charitable.

Kelly Says

This archaic spelling reminds us that English spelling wasn't standardized until the printing press made consistency fashionable—scholars would spell 'beneficient' or 'beneficent' interchangeably.

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