Benevolence
A Dictionary of Law · Henry Campbell Black · 1891
A Dictionary of Law
The doing a kind or helpful action towards another, under no obligation except an ethical one. Is no doubt distinguishable from the words “liberality” and “charity;” for, although many charitable institutions are very properly called “benevolent, ” it is impossible to say that every object of a man’s benevolence is also an object of his charity.
3 Mer. 17.
In public law. Nominally a voluntary gratuity given by subjects to their king, but in reality a tax or forced loan.