Dictionary entry

Bonny

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Bon″ny (–ny̆), a. [Spelled bonnie by the Scotch.] [OE. boni, prob. fr. F. bon, fem. bonne, good, fr. L. bonus good. See Bounty, and cf. Bonus, Boon.] 1. Handsome; beautiful; pretty; attractively lively and graceful.

Till bonny Susan sped across the plain.

Gay.

Far from the bonnie banks of Ayr.

Burns.

2. Gay; merry; frolicsome; cheerful; blithe.

Be you blithe and bonny.

Shak.

Report speaks you a bonny monk, that would hear the matin chime ere he quitted his bowl.

Sir W. Scott.