I. ˈfänd adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English fonned, fond, from fonne fool, dupe, buffoon + -ed
1. : foolish , silly , infatuated
fond scheme
fond pride
— used of persons now chiefly in dialect
our John be right fond about her
2. : hopeful and credulous to an absurd degree
a fond promoter of visionary schemes
grant I may never prove so fond to trust man on his oath and bond — Shakespeare
3. chiefly Scotland : eager , anxious — used with to
very fond to get the hay in before the fair
4.
a. : having an affection or liking — used with of
fond of his nephew
fond of skating
fond of music
b. : having a tendency or predisposition — used with of
historians and biographers … are fond of explaining him as “a man of his age” — Irving Kristol
fond of painting big pictures — David Sylvester
5.
a. : foolishly tender : weakly indulgent
hopelessly spoiled by a fond mother
b. : loving , affectionate
a fond wife
a fond kiss
6. : doted on : regarded with unreasoning affection : dear
his fondest hopes fulfilled
: clung to with strong attachment
how are we to rid ourselves of our fond prejudices and open our minds — James Ford
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
intransitive verb
obsolete : to be foolish : be fond : dote
transitive verb
1. obsolete : befool , beguile
2. obsolete : fondle , caress
III. ˈfänd noun
( -s )
Etymology: French — more at fund
1. : a background or foundation for added characteristics or aspects : groundwork , basis
2. obsolete : fund
3. : the ground of a lace usually forming the background for a design