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fond (adj.)

late 14c., "deranged, insane;" also "foolish, silly, unwise," from fonned, past-participle adjective from obsolete verb fon, fonne (Middle English fonnen) "be foolish, be simple," from Middle English fonne "a fool, stupid person" (early 14c.), which is of uncertain origin but perhaps from Scandinavian. Related: Fonder; fondest.

Meaning evolved via "foolishly tender" to "having strong affections for" (by 1570s; compare doting under dote). Another sense of the verb fon was "to lose savor" (late 14c. in Middle English past participle fonnyd), which may be the original meaning of the word:

Gif þe salt be fonnyd it is not worþi [Wyclif, Matthew v.13, c. 1380]

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Definitions of fond from WordNet

fond (adj.)
(followed by `of' or `to') having a strong preference or liking for;
fond of chocolate
Synonyms: partial
fond (adj.)
having or displaying warmth or affection;
fond of his nephew
a fond embrace
fond (adj.)
extravagantly or foolishly loving and indulgent;
hopelessly spoiled by a fond mother
Synonyms: adoring / doting
fond (adj.)
absurd or silly because unlikely;
fond hopes of becoming President
fond fancies
From wordnet.princeton.edu