See also: wellwiller

English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

Possibly a calque of Latin benevolēns from bene (well) + volēns ((one) wishing).

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

well-willer (plural well-willers)

  1. (archaic) One who wishes (someone) well, or means kindly (toward someone).
    Synonyms: friend, good willer, supporter, well-wisher
    Antonyms: enemy, evil willer, ill-willer
    • 1577, “The Ecclesiasticall Historye of Socrates Scholasticvs”, in Meredith Hanmer, transl., The Auncient Ecclesiasticall Histories of the First Six Hundred Yeares after Christ[1], London: Thomas Vautroullier, Book 3, Chapter 1,pp. 296-297:
      For he determined with him selfe thenceforth to send no embassadour vnto Constantius, neyther to doe homage, or to honor him as his superiour, patrone, or wellwiller: but to deale in all matters accordinge vnto his owne will and pleasure.
    • c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merry Wiues of Windsor”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies [] (First Folio), London: [] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]:
      [] I beseech you, be ruled by your well-willers.
    • 1674, Charles Cotton, The Compleat Gamester[2], London: R. Cutler, The Epistle to the Reader:
      Thus hoping you will be thus advis’d, and will withal excuse my Errors, I shall ever study how to serve you, and subscribe my self a well-willer to all men.
    • 1748, [Samuel Richardson], chapter 20, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: [], volume VI, London: [] S[amuel] Richardson;  [], →OCLC, page 61:
      Every-body and every-thing had a black and a white side, as ill-willers and well-willers were pleased to report.
    • 1891, William Morris, chapter 21, in The Story of the Glittering Plain[3]:
      As down the wind driveth and thrusts through the sea
      The sail-burg that striveth to turn and go free,
      But the lads at the tiller they hold her in hand,
      And the wind our well-willer drives fierce to the land.