well-willer

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See also: wellwiller

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

Noun

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, 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 Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, :
      […] I beseech you, be ruled by your well-willers.
    • 1674, Charles Cotton, The Compleat Gamester‎, 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 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:
      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.
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