Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BO'NI-FY, v.t.

To convert into good. [Not used.] – Cudworth.

BON'ING, ppr.

Depriving of bones.

BO-NI'TO, n. [Sp.]

A fish of the Tunny kind, growing to the length of three feet, found on the American coast, and in the tropical climates. It has a greenish back, and a white silvery belly. – Hawksworth. Pennant. Dict. of Nat. Hist.

BON'MOT, n. [Fr. bon, good, and mot, a word.]

A jest; a witty repartee. This word is not anglicized, and may be pronounced bong-mo.

BON'NET, n. [Fr. bonnet; Sp. bonete; Ir. boinead; Arm. boned.]

1. A covering for the head, in common use before the introduction of hats. The word, as now used, signifies a cover for the head, worn by females, close at the sides, and projecting over the forehead.
2. In fortification, a small work with two faces, having only a parapet, with two rows of palisades about 10 or 12 feet distant. Generally it is raised above the salient angle of the counterscarp, and communicates with the covered way. – Encyc. Bonnet à prêtre, or priest's bonnet, is an outwork, having at the head three salient angles and two inwards. – Johnson.
3. In sea language, an addition to a sail, or an additional part laced to the foot of a sail, in small vessels, and in moderate winds. – Mar. Dict.

BON'NET-ED, a.

Wearing a bonnet.

BON'NET-PEP-PER, n.

A species of Capsicum, or Guinea pepper. – Fam. of Plants.

BON'NI-BEL, n. [Fr. bonne, and belle.]

A handsome girl. – Spenser.

BON'NI-LASS, n. [bonny and lass.]

A beautiful girl. – Spenser.

BON'NI-LY, adv. [See Bonny.]

Gayly; handsomely; plumply.

BON'NI-NESS, n.

Gayety; handsomeness; plumpness. [Little used.]

BON'NY, a. [Fr. bon, bonne, good; L. bonus. See Boon.]

1. Handsome; beautiful. Till bonny Susan sped across the plain. – Gay.
2. Gay; merry; frolicksome; cheerful; blithe. Blithe and bonny. – Shak.
3. In familiar language, plump, as plump and healthful persons are most inclined to mirth. [This word is much used in Scotland.]

BON'NY, n.

Among miners, a bed of ore, differing from a squat in being round, whereas a squat is flat; or a distinct bed of ore, that communicates with no vein. – Bailey. Encyc.

BON'NY-CLAB-BER, n. [Qu. bonny, or Ir. baine, milk, and clabber; Ar. لبا laba, biestings; G. lab; D. leb, rennet.]

A word used in Ireland for sour buttermilk. – Johnson. It is used, in America, for any milk that is turned or become thick in the process of souring, and applied only to that part which is thick.

BON'TEN, n.

A narrow woolen stuff.

BON'TON, n. [Fr.]

Fashion.

BO'NUM-MAG-NUM, [L.]

A species of plum. – Johnson.

BO'NUS, n. [L.]

A premium given for a loan, or for a charter or other privilege granted to a company.

BON-VI-VANT', n. [Fr.]

A good fellow; a jovial companion.

BO'NY, a. [from bone.]

1. Consisting of bones; full of bones; pertaining to bones.
2. Having large or prominent bones; stout; strong.

BON'ZE, n. [bon'zy.]

An Indian priest; a name used in China, Tunkin, and the neighboring countries. In China, the bonzes are the priests of the Fohists, or sect of Fohi. They are distinguished from the laity by their dress. In Japan, they are gentlemen of family. In Tunkin, every pagoda has at least two bonzes belonging to it, and some have thirty or forty. In China, the number of bonzes is estimated at fifty thonsand, and they are represented as idle dissolute men. – Encyc.

BOO'BY, n. [Sp. bobo, a dunce or idiot, a ruff for the neck, a buffoon, the bird bobo. Qu. Ger. bube, a boy.]

1. A dunce; a stupid fellow; a lubber; one void of wisdom, or intellect. – Prior.
2. A fowl allied to the Pelican genus, the Sula fusca, of a brown and white color, much varied in different individuals. This fowl is found among the Bahama isles, feeds upon fish, and lays its eggs on the bare rocks. It has a joint in the upper mandible, by which it can raise it without opening the mouth. – Encyc.

BOO'BY-HUT, n.

A kind of covered sleigh, so called in Boston.

BOODH, n.

In Eastern Asia, a general name for divinity. – Malcom.

BOODH'ISM, n.

The religion of the people of Burmah, Siam, and several other countries, propagated by Gaudama.