also bon vivant, "jovial companion, one fond of good living," 1690s, French (see bon); the fem. is bonne vivante.
Entries linking to bon-vivant
bon adj.
French, literally "good" (adj.), from Latin bonus "good" (see bonus). It has crossed the Channel in phrases such as bon appétit, literally "good appetite" (1860); bon-ton "good style" (1744); bon mot (1735), etc. Compare boon, bonhomie.