An Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language / in which the words are explained in their different senses, authorized by the names of the writers by whom they are used, or the titles of the works in which they occur, and deduced from their originals

by John Jamieson

BONIE, BONYE, BONNY, adj.
1. Beautiful, pretty, S.
Maitland Poems.
Boniest, most beautiful.
Montgomerie.
2. It is occasionally used ironically, in the same way with E. pretty, S.
Priests of Peblis.
3. Precious, valuable.
Minstrelsy Border.

Bonny is used in the same sense by Shakspeare, and since his time by some other E. writers. But I suspect that it is properly S. Johnson derives it from Fr. bon, bonne, good. This is by no means satisfactory; but we must confess that we cannot substitute a better etymon.

BONYNES, s. Beauty, handsomeness.
Philotus.

BONK, s. Bank.
Douglas.

Probably corr. from A. S. bene. Isl. bunga, however, signifies tumor terrae.

BONNAGE, s. An obligation, on the part of the tenant, to cut down the proprietor's corn.
Statist. Acc.

Evidently a corr. of Bondage.

BONNAR, s. "A bond," Gl.

Popular Ball.

BONNET.
V. [White Bonnet].