Dictionary

well-willer en · NOUN

Etymology

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

Meanings

1. (archaic) One who wishes (someone) well, or means kindly (toward someone).
   • Every-body and every-thing had a black and a white side, as ill-willers and well-willers were pleased to report. 1748, [Samuel Richardson], chapter 20, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volume VI, London: […] S[amuel] Richardson; [a]nd sold by John Osborn, […], →OCLC, page 61:
   • […] I beseech you, be ruled by your well-willers. 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]:
   • 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. 1891, William Morris, chapter 21, in The Story of the Glittering Plain:
   • 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. 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:
   • 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. 1674, Charles Cotton, The Compleat Gamester, London: R. Cutler, The Epistle to the Reader:

Forms

Antonyms

ill-willer · evil willer · enemy

Synonyms

friend · well-wisher · supporter · good willer