Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FOND, a. [Chaucer, fonne, a fool; Scot. fon, to play the fool; fone, to fondle, to toy; Ir. fonn, delight, desire, a longing. Qu. Ar. أَفَنَ afana, which signifies to diminish, to impair mental powers, to make foolish, to be destitute of reason; and فَنِي fani, is to fail. These are the most probable affinities I have been able to find.]

1. Foolish; silly; weak; indiscreet; imprudent. Grant I may never prove so fond / To trust man on his oath or bond. Shak. Fond thoughts may fall into some idle brain. Davies.
2. Foolishly tender and loving; doting; weakly indulgent; as, a fond mother or wife. Addison.
3. Much pleased; loving ardently; delighted with. A child is fond of play; a gentleman is fond of his sports, or of his country seat. In present usage, fond does not always imply weakness or folly.
4. Relishing highly. The epicure is fond of high-seasoned food. Multitudes of men are too fond of strong drink.
5. Trifling; valued by folly. [Little used.] Shak.