Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun Benevolence; friendly disposition; cheerful acquiescence: now usually, and properly, as two words. See will.
  • noun The degree of favor enjoyed by a particular shop or trade as indicated by its custom.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Together, the decisions represent what Sunni officials called good-will gestures but notably did not come after any public concessions from the Shiite-dominated central government, which is led by Prime Minister

    NYT > Home Page By TIM ARANGO 2012

  • Together, the decisions represent what Sunni officials called good-will gestures but notably did not come after any public concessions from the Shiite-dominated central government, which is led by Prime Minister

    NYT > Global Home By TIM ARANGO 2012

  • So I will say again (a point that the trolls seem anxious to avoid), that supply-side economic theory only would be valid if you assume that corporations are good-will entities, which they clearly are not.

    Think Progress » ExxonMobil paid no federal income tax in 2009. (Updated) 2010

  • After George W. Bush and his fanatical condemnation of the "axis of evil," Iran, naturally enough, wanted a good-will gesture from Obama.

    David Bromwich: Obama's Drift Toward War With Iran David Bromwich 2012

  • These theories only work if you assume that corporations are good-will entities, which they clearly are not.

    Think Progress » ExxonMobil paid no federal income tax in 2009. (Updated) 2010

  • These corporations are not interested in long-term economic prosperity, nor are they good-will entities.

    Think Progress » ExxonMobil paid no federal income tax in 2009. (Updated) 2010

  • After George W. Bush and his fanatical condemnation of the "axis of evil," Iran, naturally enough, wanted a good-will gesture from Obama.

    David Bromwich: Obama's Drift Toward War With Iran David Bromwich 2012

  • I'm doing it as a good-will gesture to everyone considering the switch to a Palm Pre.

    Archive 2009-07-01 2009

  • Factor to set a price, he coolly placed it at five hundred blankets, ten guns, fifty pounds of tobacco, twenty scarlet cloths, ten bottles of rum, a music-box, and lastly the good-will and best offices of the Factor, with a place by his fire.

    THE MARRIAGE TO LIT-LIT 2010

  • I'm doing it as a good-will gesture to everyone considering the switch to a Palm Pre.

    Review: Palm Pre 2009

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