benign

adj

Etymology: From Middle English benigne, benygne, from Old French benigne, from Latin benignus (“kind, good”), from bene (“well”) + genus (“origin, kind”). Compare malign.

1. Kind; gentle; mild.

   “But though we both entertained these ideas, we differed in their application. Resentment added also a sting to my censure; and I reprobated Raymond's conduct in severe terms. Adrian was more benign, more considerate.”

   “I people my world with benign spirits. Everything talks to me and I respond to it.”

2. Mild and favorable.
3. Not harmful to the environment.

   “an ozone-benign refrigerant”

4. Not posing any serious threat to health; not particularly aggressive or recurrent.

   “a benign tumor”

   “Despite the gruesome way it looks, cottontail rabbit papillomavirus is often benign, and many rabbits end up fighting it off on their own.”