adjective
benign
bih-NYNE/bɪˈnaɪn/
Not harmful or threatening.
The benign growth remains contained without invading the surrounding tissue.
Etymology
The original image was “well born,” which came to describe a kindly or favorable character. Applied to a medical condition, that favorable quality becomes absence of harmful or dangerous behavior.
In context
resemble benign conditions like food poisoning or gastritis flareups leading many to delay seeking medical assistance
More examples
- The program contains a benign error that affects no results.
- Her benign expression puts the nervous child at ease.
- The plants thrive in this benign climate.
Similar words
- harmless
- Directly states that something causes no damage.
- gentle
- Emphasizes mildness of manner, force, or effect.