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bona fide

 - 5 dictionary results

bo⋅na fide

[boh-nuh fahyd, bon-uh; boh-nuh fahy-dee]
–adjective
1. made, done, presented, etc., in good faith; without deception or fraud: a bona fide statement of intent to sell.
2. authentic; true: a bona fide sample of Lincoln's handwriting.
Also, bona-fide.


Origin:
1935–45; < L bonā fidē


1. honest, sincere; lawful, legal. 2. genuine.


spurious, deceitful, false.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To bona fide
bo·na fide   (bō'nə fīd', fī'dē, bŏn'ə)   
adj.  
  1. Made or carried out in good faith; sincere: a bona fide offer.

  2. Authentic; genuine: a bona fide Rembrandt. See Synonyms at authentic.


[Latin bonā fidē : bonā, feminine ablative of bonus, good + fidē, ablative of fidēs, faith.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

bona fide [(boh-nuh feyed, boh-nuh feye-dee, bon-uh feyed)]

Genuine: “The offer was a bona fide business opportunity: they really meant to carry it through.” From Latin, meaning “in good faith.”

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

bona fide 
1542, from L., lit. "in good faith," abl. of bona fides "good faith" (see faith).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: bo·na fide
Pronunciation: 'bO-n&-"fId, 'bä-n&-; "bO-n&-'fI-dE, -'fI-d&
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin, in good faith
1 a : characterized by good faith and lack of fraud or deceit bona fide offer> b : valid under or in compliance with the law bona fide employee benefit plan>
2 : made with or characterized by sincerity
bona fide belief>
3 : being real or genuine <bona fide residents>
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