adjective 1. kind, especially to inferiors; gracious: a benignant sovereign. 2. exerting a good influence; beneficial: the benignant authority of the new president. 3. Pathology. benign. Definition: Dictionary.com Where I found it: The Orphic Hymn to Ares To lovely Venus [Kypris], and to Bacchus [Lyaios] yield, to Ceres [Deo] give the weapons of the field; Encourage peace, to gentle works inclin’d, and give abundance, with benignant mind.