words of the day

ben, bene, bon – good, wellbenefit (v.) to gain or receive

good results from something

syn. – to help, to serve, to profit

ant. – to harm, to hurt, to hinder

ety. – [ < Anglo-French benft < L benefactum good deed < bene well + facere do]

Prometheus was a god who believed his actions should benefit mankind.

benevolent (adj.) - kind; good-hearted

syn. – kind, good-hearted, passionate

ant. – brutal, cruel, heartlessety. – [late ME < L benevolent (stem

of benevolēns) kindhearted (bene- bene + vol- wish + -ent -ent)]

Because of his actions, Prometheus could be considered to be a benevolent character.

beneficial (adj.) – having a good outcome; favorable

syn. – favorable, useful

ant. – harmful

ety. – [ late ME < late L beneficiᾱlis, equivalent to L benefici(um) kindness]

When mortals follow fulfill the requests of the immortals without question, the results are often beneficial.

beneficiary (n.) - a person who receives something good from someone else

syn. –

ant. –

ety. – [ late ME < late L beneficiᾱrius, “enjoying a favor, prifileged” equivalent to L benefici(um), benefice + ᾱrius

-ary]

Persephone was the beneficiary of her mother’s undying love.

ben, bene, bon – good, well

benediction (n.) - a blessing

syn. – commendation, grace

ant. – curse, disapproval

ety. – [ < L benedictio, from benedῑcere to bless]

A benediction from Zeus would be more pleasing than a curse.

benefactor (n.) - a person who does good or gives money for a good purpose

syn. – backer, sponsor, supporter

ant. – antagonist, opponent, opposer

ety. – [ < late benefactor < L bene + facer; bene “well” + facere “to do”]

Sometimes gods would act as benefactors for man to protect man from Zeus’ anger.

ben, bene, bon – good, well

benign (adj.) - not harmful; having a good effect; favorable

syn. – harmless, innocent

ant. – harmful, damaging

ety. – [ < OF benigne < L benignus < bene well + gignere to produce]

Of all of the mythological characters, Hermes probably has one of the most benign natures.

bonafide (adj.) - authentic; genuine; real

syn. – true

ant. – counterfeit, fake, false

ety. – [ < L benedictio, from benedicere to bless]

As the god of war, Ares is a

bonafide aggressor.

ben, bene, bon – good, well

bonus (n.) - anything good that is received over and beyond what is expected (usually money)

syn. – perk, dividend, premium

ant. –

ety. – [ < L bonus good]

Being a demi-god was a bonus for Perseus and gave him an edge over mere mortals.

bon voyage (n.) - “have a good trip” in French

syn. – farewell, adieu, good-bye

ant. – hello

ety. – [ < F literally, good journey]

I wonder if Penelope had the chance to say the Greek version of “bon voyage” to Odysseus before he left for the Trojan War.

ben, bene, bon – good, well