## Meanings
1. Not harmful or dangerous, especially describing a tumour that is not cancerous.
2. Kind, gentle, and friendly.
3. Pleasant and favourable; not causing harm.

## Examples
- The doctor confirmed that the lump was benign.
- The old man gave the children a benign smile.
- The new policy created a benign environment for small businesses.

## Antonyms
- malign

## Derived Forms
- benignancy
- benignant
- benignity
- benignly
- benignness
- nonbenign
- unbenign

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: benigne
- Root: benignus

## Etymology
From Middle English benigne, benygne, from Old French benigne, from Latin benignus (“kind, good”), from bene (“well”) + genus (“origin, kind”). Compare malign.

## AI Etymology
Benign is from Middle English benigne, benygne, from Old French benigne, from Latin benignus (“kind, good”), from bene (“well”) + genus (“origin, kind”). Compare malign. In present-day use, it can mean not harmful or dangerous, especially describing a tumour that is not cancerous, or kind, gentle, and friendly. Derived formations include benignancy, benignant, benignity, benignly, and benignness.

## Topics
- Describing People
- Safety & Risk

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benign

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