adv. and adj. [L. bonā fidē = ‘with good faith.’]
A. adv. In good faith, with sincerity; genuinely.
1542–3. Act 34 & 35 Hen. VIII., iv. The same to procede bona fide, without fraude.
1600. Holland, Livy, XXXII. xxxiii. 830. He dealeth not soundly and bona fide [neque cum fide agit] in treaties of peace.
1722. Lond. Gaz., No. 6082/3. A Horse … that is not Bona Fide his own.
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 177. Our men were really and bonâ fide employed in the Edystone service.
B. adj. (orig. used with agent nouns, or those involving some quality, as in ‘bona fide purchaser,’ ‘bona fide poverty,’ ‘bona fide traveller.’) Acting or done in good faith; sincere, genuine.
1788. J. Powell, Devises (1827), II. 17. Act not to extend to bonâ fide purchasers for a valuable consideration.
1865. Sat. Rev., 5 Aug., 170/2. Interfering with the bonâ fide character of the proceeding.
1882. Med. Temp. Jrnl., No. 50. 83. The bona fide poor are benefited.
Hence Bonafidically adv. nonce-wd.
1822. Southey, Lett. (1856), III. 314. Two men who love nonsense so cordially, and naturally, and bonâfidically.
