Fon
(Fon) n. [Of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. fani silly, fana to act silly, Sw. fåne fool. Cf. Fond, a.] A
fool; an idiot. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Fond
(Fond) obs. imp. of Find. Found. Chaucer.
Fond
(Fond), a. [Compar. Fonder ; superl. Fondest.] [For fonned, p. p. of OE. fonnen to be foolish.
See Fon.]
1. Foolish; silly; simple; weak. [Archaic]
Grant I may never prove so fond
To trust man on his oath or bond.
Shak. 2. Foolishly tender and loving; weakly indulgent; over-affectionate.
3. Affectionate; loving; tender; — in a good sense; as, a fond mother or wife. Addison.
4. Loving; much pleased; affectionately regardful, indulgent, or desirous; longing or yearning; — followed
by of
More fond on her than she upon her love.
Shak.
You are as fond of grief as of your child.
Shak.
A great traveler, and fond of telling his adventures.
Irving. 5. Doted on; regarded with affection. [R.]
Nor fix on fond abodes to circumscribe thy prayer.
Byron. 6. Trifling; valued by folly; trivial. [Obs.] Shak.
Fond
(Fond), v. t. To caress; to fondle. [Obs.]
The Tyrian hugs and fonds thee on her breast.
Dryden. Fond
(Fond), v. i. To be fond; to dote. [Obs.] Shak.
Fonde
(Fond"e) v. t. & i. [AS. fandian to try.] To endeavor; to strive; to try. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Fondle
(Fon"dle) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fondled ; p. pr. & vb. n. Fondling ] [From Fond, v.] To treat
or handle with tenderness or in a loving manner; to caress; as, a nurse fondles a child.
Syn. — See Caress.
Fondler
(Fon"dler) n. One who fondles. Johnson.
Fondling
(Fon"dling) n. [From Fondle.] The act of caressing; manifestation of tenderness.
Cyrus made no . . . amorous fondling
To fan her pride, or melt her guardless heart.
Mickle. Fondling
(Fond"ling) n. [Fond + - ling.]
1. A person or thing fondled or caressed; one treated with foolish or doting affection.
Fondlings are in danger to be made fools.
L'Estrange. 2. A fool; a simpleton; a ninny. [Obs.] Chapman.
