boniface

noun

bon·i·face | \ ˈbä-nə-fəs

, -ˌfās\

Definition of boniface

(Entry 1 of 3)

: the proprietor of a hotel, nightclub, or restaurant

Boniface

biographical name (1)

Bon·i·face | \ ˈbä-nə-fəs

, -ˌfās\

Definition of Boniface (Entry 2 of 3)

Saint circa 675–754 Wynfrid or Wynfrith English missionary in Germany

Boniface

biographical name (2)

Definition of Boniface (Entry 3 of 3)

name of 9 popes: especially VIII (Benedict Caetani) circa 1235(or 1240)–1303 (pope 1294–1303)

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Did You Know?

Boniface has been the name of eight popes, one antipope, and one saint, but none of those had anything (directly) to do with the English word boniface. The word boniface comes from the name of the jovial innkeeper in George Farquhar's 1707 play "The Beaux' Stratagem," the story of two penniless rakes who determine that one of them must find and marry a wealthy lady. Farquhar's play made more than one contribution to the English language. The name of the character of Lady Bountiful is a byword for a generous (and often conspicuously so) philanthropist. Farquhar, incidentally, never got to see the influence his play had on the lexicon. He finished "The Beaux' Stratagem" on his deathbed, and died on the night of its third performance.

Examples of boniface in a Sentence

Noun

the operator of the inn is the very epitome of the genial and gracious boniface

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boniface

Definition of boniface

Synonyms for boniface

Did You Know?

Examples of boniface in a Sentence

First Known Use of boniface

History and Etymology for boniface

boniface

Definition of boniface

Synonyms for boniface

Did You Know?

Examples of boniface in a Sentence

First Known Use of boniface

History and Etymology for boniface

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