boon

views updated May 29 2018

boon1 / boōn/ • n. [usu. in sing.] a thing that is helpful or beneficial: the navigation system will be a boon to both civilian and military users.boon2 • adj. (of a companion or friend) close; intimate; favorite: he debated the question with a few boon companions in the barroom.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

boon

views updated May 14 2018

boon1 †prayer, request; thing prayed for; favour XII; benefit, blessing XVIII. — ON. bón, var. of bœn = OE. bēn; of uncert. orig.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

boon

views updated Jun 11 2018

boon2 good, gracious XIV; surviving in boon companion (XVI) in the sense ‘jolly’, ‘convivial’. — (O)F. bon good :- L. bonus.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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