Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Benevolent \Be*nev"o*lent\, a. [L. benevolens, -entis; bene well
   (adv. of bonus good) + volens, p. pr. of volo I will, I wish.
   See {Bounty}, and {Voluntary}.]
   Having a disposition to do good; possessing or manifesting
   love to mankind, and a desire to promote their prosperity and
   happiness; disposed to give to good objects; kind;
   charitable. -- {Be*nev"o*lent*ly}, adv.

   Syn: {Benevolent}, {Beneficent}.

   Usage: Etymologically considered, benevolent implies wishing
          well to others, and beneficent, doing well. But by
          degrees the word benevolent has been widened to
          include not only feelings, but actions; thus, we speak
          of benevolent operations, benevolent labors for the
          public good, benevolent societies. In like manner,
          beneficent is now often applied to feelings; thus, we
          speak of the beneficent intentions of a donor. This
          extension of the terms enables us to mark nicer shades
          of meaning. Thus, the phrase ``benevolent labors''
          turns attention to the source of these labors, viz.,
          benevolent feeling; while beneficent would simply mark
          them as productive of good. So, ``beneficent
          intentions'' point to the feelings of the donor as
          bent upon some specific good act; while ``benevolent
          intentions'' would only denote a general wish and
          design to do good.

Source : WordNet®

benevolent
     adj 1: doing or producing good [syn: {beneficent}, {gracious}]
     2: intending or showing kindness; "a benevolent society"
     3: having or showing or arising from a desire to promote the
        welfare or happiness of others; "his benevolent smile"; "a
        benevolent nature" [syn: {good}] [ant: {malevolent}]
     4: generous in providing aid to others [syn: {freehearted}]
     5: generous in assistance to the poor; "a benevolent
        contributor"; "eleemosynary relief"; "philanthropic
        contributions" [syn: {beneficent}, {eleemosynary}, {philanthropic}]