words of the day

ben, bene, bon – good, well benefit (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, heartless ety. – [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 benefici ᾱ lis, 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 benefici ᾱ rius, “enjoying a favor, prifileged” equivalent to L benefici(um), benefice + ᾱ rius -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 bened ῑ cere 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