Bonzeries
/ˈbɒnzəriz/noun
Plural of bonzery, a Buddhist monastery or religious establishment inhabited by bonzes.
Did you know?“Bonze” entered European languages through early encounters with Japanese Buddhist clergy, whose robes and rituals were often described with fascination and exoticism.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Chinese
Chinese
梵僧 (fàn sēng)
“A foreign or Indian monk; a proposed source for the East Asian forms later borrowed by Europeans.”
Medieval Japanese
Japanese
坊主 (bōzu) / 梵僧 (bonzō)
“A Buddhist priest or monk; forms associated with the European word bonze.”
16th Century
Portuguese
bonzo
“A Buddhist priest, especially one encountered in Japan or East Asia.”
17th Century
French
bonze
“A Buddhist priest or monk.”
18th Century
English
bonze
“A Buddhist priest; the word was used in descriptions of Asian religions.”
18th–19th Century
English
bonzery
“A monastery or establishment inhabited by Buddhist bonzes.”
Modern English
English
bonzeries
“Plural form of bonzery: Buddhist monasteries or establishments.”