Obs. Good appearance, good show. To make a bonne-mine (Mil.): to display oneself in force, to show a bold front.
1644. Sir G. Dudley, To Prince Rupert, 3 (D.). We expected they would have disputed our passage over the river Dun, but they only made a bon-mine there and left us the Toune.
1660. Blount, Boscobel, 9. Sultan Oliver appear’d … on Redhill … where he made a Bonne-mine but attempted nothing.
