Bonzi
/ˈbɒn.zi/noun
An obsolete English term for a Buddhist priest or monk.
Did you know?Bonzi entered European languages through early encounters with Japanese Buddhism and was later treated as a variant of bonze in English.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Chinese
Chinese
坊主
“A compound referring to a religious or monastic master; the characters were later used in Japanese.”
Medieval Japanese
Japanese
bōzu
“A Buddhist priest or monk; literally associated with a monastic place and its master.”
16th Century
Portuguese
bonzo
“A Buddhist priest, borrowed from Japanese during Portuguese contact with Japan.”
17th Century
French
bonze
“A Buddhist priest or monk, borrowed through Portuguese and other European usage.”
17th–18th Century
English
bonze / bonzi
“A Buddhist priest; bonzi appears as an older variant spelling.”
Modern English
English
bonzi
“An obsolete or historical term for a Buddhist monk or priest.”