bon-

(Latin: good)

bon mot (bohn MOH) (s) (noun); bons mot, bon mots (pl)
A clever saying, phrase, remark, or witticism: Sharon always seemed to have a bon mot, or joke, for every occasion or social event. quip
A witty remark or clever saying.
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bon vivant (s) (noun), bon vivants (pl)
A person who has refined tastes and who enjoys the luxuries of life; especially, in superb food and drink: Mr. and Mrs. Smithson, known as bon vivants by their neighbors, went on a cruise every year, had a first class veranda, or balcony, with deck chairs, and fantastic meals served in a gorgeous dining room.
Someone who enjoys good food and drink and lives luxuriousllly.
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bon voyage (s) (noun) (a noun with an adjective)
1. A statement used to wish someone or a group to have an enjoyable and safe trip.
2. Etymology: from French, literally, bon, "good" + voyage, "journey".

It is related to Late Latin viaticum, "a journey" (in classical Latin "provisions for a journey"), from a noun use of viaticus, "of or for a journey"; from via, "road, journey, travel".

bona fide (adjective) (not comparable)
1. A reference to something done in good faith: At the auction, a customer's offer was a bona fide bid for the small antique statue.

Although they did not succeed, the leaders of the country made a bona fide effort to improve their nation's unsatisfactory economy.

Shirley always made bona fide efforts to satisfy her customers in the clothing store.

2. Pertaining to a publication that is genuine and not a counterfeit or a copied document: The historian presented a bona fide manuscript for his students to study.
3. Etymology: from Latin meaning "in good faith" and so it is "genuine".
A description of something that is authentic or genuine.
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bona fide (s) (noun) (sometimes spelled:) bonafide; bona fides (pl);
1. In good faith, with sincerity; genuinely.
2. Acting or done in good faith; sincere, genuine.
3. In plural form, credentials authenticating someone's true identity, background, intentions, and good faith: Henry was a journalist whose bona fides could not be determined.

Genuine or sincere; sincerity. The first expression is used to modify some other word, as in bona fide intentions; the second is generally used as the subject or object of a verb, as in "His bona fides is above reproach", and "We do not question her bona fides." Bona fides is a singular noun.

Bona fide has been used as an adjective phrase in English so often that we all know its pronunciation as, BOH nuh fighd; however, its preferred Latin pronunciation is BAW nuh FIGH duh.

To produce bona fides (BOH nuh FIGH deez), a corrupted Anglicized form, means to show good intentions in dealing with others, show credentials, prove one's identity or ability, etc. and so to indicate that no fraud or deceit is intended or shown.

A bona fide agreement is one that is made in "good faith" which is a Latin phrase taken over bodily from the Latin bona, "good" + fides, "faith".

bonanza
bonbon
bonhomie (s) (noun) (no plural)
A pleasant and affable disposition; geniality: There was a feeling of friendliness, or bonhomie, among a group of strangers who were singing together around a campfire.
An cordial and amiable manner.
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Boniface
bonification
The paying of a bonus or a reward.
boniform
Sensitive or responsive to moral excellence.
bonify (verb), bonifies; bonified; bonifying
1. To convert into, or to make, good.
2. To improve or to ameliorate.
bonism
The doctrine that the world is good but not perfect.
Bonitas/veritas/pulchritas.
Goodness/truth/beauty.

Motto of Marycrest College, Davenport, Iowa, USA.

Bonitatem et disciplinam et scientiam doce me.
Teach me goodness and discipline and knowledge.

Motto of Marycrest College, Davenport, Iowa, USA; and College of Mount Saint Vincent, Riverdale, New York, USA.

Motto of College of Mount Saint Vincent, Riverdale, New York, USA.

Related good-word units: agatho-, bene-, eu-.


Word groups that are antonyms of this unit: caco-, dys-, mal-, mis-.