E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Fond.
A foolish, fond parent. Here fond does not mean affectionate, but silly. Chaucer uses the word fonne for a simpleton, and the Scotch fou is to play the fool. Shakespeare has “fond desire,” “fond love,” “fond shekels of gold,” “fond wretch,” “fond mad-woman,” etc. “Fondling” means an idiot, or one fond.
