Benignus

Lat. Kind, favorable, liberal, benign; as opposed to strict, harsh or narrow. Ez benigna interpretations; by a liberal interpretation. Bract, fol. 95. Benignior; more favorable. Beaicai^r seiilciilim in rerbis ceneralibus ■en dubiis est pr Mferciida. In [construing] general or doubtful words, the more favorable sense is to be preferred. 4 Co. 15. This maxim seems to be derived from those of the civil law. Semper in dnbiis benlg. niorm pr Mferenda s«at. Dig. 50. 17. 56. 2 Kent's Com. 557. la re dnbia, beaigaie. real iaterpretatieaeai se^ai aea ailaasjas* tias est qaaas tatias. In a doubtful matter it is not l^ss just than safe to adopt the more Uberal mterpretation. Dig, 50. 17. 192. 1. la ceatractlbasy beaiyaa $ la teetameatis^ beaigaler j ia resiitatleaibas beaisaisslnia laterpretatia facleadm est. In contracts the construction is to be liberal; in wills, more liberal; in restitutions, most liberal. Co. Litt. 112 a.