a. [ad. mod.L. boniformis (f. bonum good + -formis having the form of), used by H. More (Enchir. Ethic., I. ii.) to translate Plato’s ἀγαθοειδής.] Having the form of good; akin to the Good. Used by H. More to denote a faculty by which moral goodness is appreciated.
1677. Gale, Crt. Gentiles, II. IV. 254. The divine effulgence and operation is one essence, both simple, and impartible, and boniforme.
1678. Cudworth, Intell. Syst., 204. Knowledge and Truth, may … be said to be Boniform things, and of Kin to the Chief Good.
1691. Norris, Pract. Disc., 186. The Moral Tast and Relish, that which the Platonists call Ἀγαθοειδὲς the Boniform faculty of the Soul.
1793. T. Taylor, Orat. Julian, 21. The heavens are replenished from the sun with boniform powers.
1830. Mackintosh, Eth. Philos., Wks. 1846, I. 93. Dr. Henry More … seems to have given the first intimations of a distinct moral faculty, which he calls ‘the Boniform Faculty.’
