Definition
An archaic term for a close friend or companion, particularly one found in rural areas or among common folk.
Etymology
From 'boon' (a blessing or benefit, and later a good friend) from Old Norse 'bón' (prayer, request), combined with 'fellow' (companion). Popular in Middle English and Early Modern English.
Kelly Says
The word 'boon' originally meant something you begged for, but by Shakespeare's time it meant a wonderful favor or benefit—and a 'boon companion' was someone who brought joy, making 'boonfellow' a poetic term for best friends.
Translations
CACatalà
company
kom-pa-nee
CSČeština
spojenec
spo-jen-ets
DADansk
kammerat
kam-ma-rat
DEDeutsch
Gefährte
gay-fhar-teh
ELΕλληνικά
συνοδός
see-noh-dos
ESEspañol
compañero
kom-pan-e-ro
FRFrançais
compagnon
kom-pa-nyohn
HAHA
ma'abuta
ma-a-boo-ta
IDBahasa Indonesia
teman
te-man
ITItaliano
compagno
kom-pa-nyo
KKKK
қатысушы
qa-ty-su-shy
KMKM
ប្រជាជន
bra-cha-cha-jon
MSBahasa Melayu
rakan
ra-kan
MYမြန်မာ
ကျွန်တော်
kyun-taw
NLNederlands
kameraad
kam-er-aad
NONorsk
kamerat
ka-ma-rat
PLPolski
towarzysz
to-var-sh
PTPortuguês
colega
koh-leh-gah
RORomână
tovarăș
to-va-rash
RUРусский
товарищ
to-va-rishch
SWKiswahili
mwenendo
mwen-en-do
TEతెలుగు
చెల్లరి
che-lla-ri
TLTL
kaibigan
kai-bee-gan
TRTürkçe
arkadaş
ar-ka-dash
UKУкраїнська
товариш
to-va-rish
ZUZU
umshayeli
oom-sha-ye-lee