benevolent

the word 'benevolent' is a direct inheritance from latin 'benevolent-', the stem of 'benevolens', meaning 'well-wishing'. it is a compound of 'bene' (well) and 'volens', the present participle of 'velle' (to wish). the latin root 'bene' itself descends from the proto-indo-european (pie) root deu- meaning 'to do, perform', which also gave rise to latin 'bonus' (good). the element 'vol-' relates to the pie root welh₁- (to wish, to will), a prolific source for words concerning choice and desire. thus, the literal 'wishing good' evolved into the modern abstract sense of being characterized by kindness and a desire to promote the happiness of others.

Structure: bene (good) + vol (wish) + ent (adjective suffix) bene is from latin 'bene' meaning 'well, good'. vol is from latin 'velle' meaning 'to wish, to will'. ent is a latin-derived adjective-forming suffix meaning 'being in a state of'.