Obs. Also 6 bun-, 6–7 bone-, boone-, 7 bond-, boun-grace. [a. F. bonnegrace ‘th’ vppermost flap of the down-hanging taile of a French-hood (whence belike our Boongrace)’ Cotgr.; f. bonne good, grace grace.]
1. A shade or curtain formerly worn on the front of women’s bonnets or caps to protect the complexion from the sun; a sunshade. (See quot. 1617; the later one may consequently belong to 2.)
1530. Palsgr., 907. The bone grace, le moufflet.
1533. Pardoner & Fr., in Hazl., Dodsl., I. 203. Her bongrace which she ware, with her French hood, When she went out always for sun-burning.
1595. R. Wilson, Pedlar’s Proph., B ij. Fillets and bungraces.
1604. Dekker, King’s Entert., 311. This boon-grace hee made of purpose to keepe his face from heate.
1617. Moryson, Itin., III. IV. i. 170. A French shadow of veluet to defend them from the Sunne, which our Gentlewomen of old borrowed from the French, and called them Bonegraces, now altogether out of vse with us.
1636. Davenant, Platon. Lovers, Wks. (1673), 411. Had she been but old enough to wear a Bongrace.
fig. 1609. Heywood, Brit. Troy, VI. civ. 137. A Grove through which the lake doth run, Making his bowes a Bongrace from the Sun.
2. A broad-brimmed hat fitted to shade the face. arch. or Obs.
1606. Holland, Sueton., 75. A broad brim’d Hat [marg. or Bond-grace = petasatus] upon his head.
1638. Songs Costume (1849), 140. Straw hats shall be no more bongraces, From the bright sun to hide your faces.
1719. D’Urfey, Pills (1872), IV. 107. Her Bongrace of wended Straw.
1815. Scott, Guy M., iii. An old-fashioned bonnet called a bon-grace.
3. ‘Junk-fenders; for booming off obstacles from a ship’s sides or bows.’ Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk.
