Bonus

[Lat., good.] ( Com. ) A premium in addition to an interest or to a privilege; or, an extra dividend to shareholders. -A compensation in money paid to an agent or shipmaster, in addition to a certain share in the profits of an enterprise, or to a stated salary. Bo'nus, in Illinois, a post-township of Boone co., 8 m. N.E. of Belvidere. IMG:content-0689.jpg:[blocks in formation] Bon-vivant, ( bong vee-vong',) n. [Fr. bon , good, and vivant, liver.] One who eats and drinks well; a jovial boon-companion; a good fellow. Bon'weli, in Illinois , a post-office of Edgar co. Bo'ny, a. Pertaining to, or consisting of, bones. "At the end of this hole is a membrane, fastened to a round, bony limb."-Ray. -Full of bones; stout: strong; as, a bony man. Bo'ny Pike, n. (Zool.) See LEPIDOSTEUS. Bonze, (bonz.) [Fr. bonze; a supposed corruption of Jap bus so , a sage, a learned man.] The name generally applied to the priests of Fo, or Buddha, in Japan, without regard to the sectarian distinctions existing among them. They profe celibacy, practise austerities of various kinds, and dwell together in monasteries. They shave the head and beard, never cover the former, preserve a profound silence in public, and are supposed to lead a life of continual prayer and contemplation. Their avarice is equal to their ignorance, and no opportunity for ex- torting money from the people by the selling of charms, ., is ever neglected. The religion of Fo does not ad- mit prieste es, but there are female devotees called bi- con is or bonzies , who live in communities under a supe- rior of their own sex, and profe the same virtues and way of life as the priests. There are some monasteries in which the devotees of both sexes reside, and temples in which they chant their prayers together, the men on one side, and the women on the other. The term B. is also frequently applied by Europe ans to the priests of Buddha in China, Burmah, and other parts of E. Asia. Booby, (boo be,) n. [Sp. bobo ; It. babbeo ; probably from the root of bæbe ; Ger. bube , a boy.] A blockhead; a dunce; a stupid fellow; a dunderhead; a lubber; as, he is a perfect booby . "When yet was ever found a mother Who 'd give her booby for another?"-Gay. (Zool.) The name given by navigators to the Sula fusc a , a species of Gannet, a large bird which inhabits the Desolate islands, and the coasts of most warm climates. The name was naturally acquired from their apparent stupidity, in quietly sitting on the shore, or perching on the yard of a ship, till Fig . 385-воот, ( Sula fusc a .)