Benevolentes

Benevolentes is a Latin term that can function as a noun or as a participial adjective. In the nominative plural, benevolentes usually means “the benevolent ones” and can be used substantively to refer to people who are disposed to goodwill toward others. The form comes from benevolens, meaning “well-wishing” or “kind,” built from bene- “well” and volēns “willing” (from velle, to wish). As a participle, benevolens agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies; benevolentes is the common plural form.

Etymology and semantics: bene- “well” + volēns “willing” yields “well-wishing.” The sense extends to “kind,” “benevolent,” or “charitable” in Latin. The word belongs to a family related to benevolentia (benevolence) and benevolus (benevolent, kind).

Usage: In classical, late antique, and medieval Latin, benevolentes appears in religious, philosophical, and rhetorical contexts to describe virtuous people or groups characterized by goodwill. It can also occur as a collective designation in moralizing literature or inscriptions, where a group is labeled for its benevolence or charitable disposition.

Modern relevance: The term is primarily of historical or linguistic interest; in English, the corresponding adjective is benevolent and the noun benevolence. Benevolentes as a plural noun translates roughly as “the benevolent ones,” reflecting Latin’s tendency to name virtuous dispositions and groups.