Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Benevolence \Be*nev"o*lence\, n. [OF. benevolence, L.
   benevolentia. See {Benevolent}.]
   1. The disposition to do good; good will; charitableness;
      love of mankind, accompanied with a desire to promote
      their happiness.

            The wakeful benevolence of the gospel. --Chalmers.

   2. An act of kindness; good done; charity given.

   3. A species of compulsory contribution or tax, which has
      sometimes been illegally exacted by arbitrary kings of
      England, and falsely represented as a gratuity.

   Syn: {Benevolence}, {Beneficence}, {Munificence}.

   Usage: Benevolence marks a disposition made up of a choice
          and desire for the happiness of others. Beneficence
          marks the working of this disposition in dispensing
          good on a somewhat broad scale. Munificence shows the
          same disposition, but acting on a still broader scale,
          in conferring gifts and favors. These are not
          necessarily confined to objects of immediate utility.
          One may show his munificence in presents of pictures
          or jewelry, but this would not be beneficence.
          Benevolence of heart; beneficence of life; munificence
          in the encouragement of letters.

Source : WordNet®

benevolence
     n 1: disposition to do good [ant: {malevolence}]
     2: an inclination to do kind or charitable acts
     3: an act intending or showing kindness and good will [syn: {benefaction}]