BENIGNANT

benign, benignant

(adjective) pleasant and beneficial in nature or influence; “a benign smile”; “the benign sky”; “the benign influence of pure air”

benignant, gracious

(adjective) characterized by kindness and warm courtesy especially of a king to his subjects; “our benignant king”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

benignant (comparative more benignant, superlative most benignant)

(now, rare) Kind; gracious; favorable.

Source: Wiktionary

Be*nig"nant, a. Etym: [LL. benignans, p. pr. of benignare, from L. benignus. See Benign.]

Definition: Kind; gracious; favorable.

– Be*nig"nant*ly, adv.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition