From Latin meaning 'good' or 'genuine', typically appearing in legal phrases like 'bona fide' (in good faith). Used to indicate authenticity or legitimacy.
Directly from Latin 'bona', feminine form of 'bonus' meaning 'good'. Preserved in English primarily through legal Latin phrases, maintaining its original meaning of genuine quality or good faith.
This little Latin word carries enormous weight in legal and business contexts. When something is 'bona fide,' it's not just good - it's genuinely, authentically, unquestionably legitimate, which is why lawyers still reach for this ancient term.
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