n.
Variant: also fon · du
Pronunciation: fän- ' dü, - ' dyü, ' fän- ˌ
Function: noun
Etymology: French fondue, from feminine of fondu, past participle of fondre to melt, from Old French ― more at FOUND
Date: 1829
1 : a dish similar to a soufflé usually made with cheese and bread crumbs
2 a (1) : a preparation of melted cheese (as Swiss cheese and Gruyère) usually flavored with white wine and kirsch (2) : a dish that consists of small pieces of food (as meat or fruit) cooked in or dipped into a hot liquid <beef fondue > <chocolate fondue > b : a chafing dish in which fondue is made