† bonchief Obs.
Forms: 4 bonchef, -chif, boonchief, 5 boncheff, -cheef, -chyef, -chief, bonechief, bonnecheve.
[f. F. bon good + chef ‘head’, hence ‘end, issue’ (see chief); opposed to, and perhaps formed an analogy of, mischief.]
Good fortune, prosperity, easy circumstances.
| c 1340 Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 1764 Al watz blis & bonchef. 1387 Trevisa Higden Rolls Ser. I. i. xii. 87 Good happes and boonchief, as wel as yuel happes and meschief. 1563 Foxe A. & M. I. 603/2 If I consented to do here after your will, for bonchief or mischief that may befal unto me in this life. |