benign

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be|nign /bɪn'aɪn/
1 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
You use benign to describe someone who is kind, gentle, and harmless.
They are normally a more benign audience...
= charitable
● benignly [ADV] usu ADV with v
I just smiled benignly and stood back.
2 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A benign substance or process does not have any harmful effects.
We're taking relatively benign medicines and we're turning them into poisons.
3 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A benign tumour will not cause death or serious harm. (MEDICAL)
It wasn't cancer, only a benign tumour.
≠ malignant
4 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Benign conditions are pleasant or make it easy for something to happen.
They enjoyed an especially benign climate...

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