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Webster 1913 Edition


Fondling

Fon′dling

,
Noun.
[From
Fondle
.]
The act of caressing; manifestation of tenderness.
Cyrus made no . . . amorous
fondling

To fan her pride, or melt her guardless heart.
Mickle.

Fond′ling

,
Noun.
[
Fond
+
-ling
.]
1.
A person or thing fondled or caressed; one treated with foolish or doting affection.
Fondlings
are in danger to be made fools.
L’Estrange.
2.
A fool; a simpleton; a ninny.
[Obs.]
Chapman.

Webster 1828 Edition


Fondling

FOND'LING

,
ppr.
Caressing; treating with tenderness.

FOND'LING

,
Noun.
A person or thing fondled or caressed.

Definition 2024


fondling

fondling

English

Noun

fondling (plural fondlings)

  1. (obsolete) A foolish person.
    • 1596, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, VI.6:
      Yet were her words and lookes but false and fayned, / To some hid end to make more easie way, / Or to allure such fondlings whom she trayned / Into her trap […].
    • 1847, Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights, Vol. I, ch. 10:
      'How can you say I am harsh, you naughty fondling?' cried the mistress, amazed at the unreasonable assertion.
  2. A pet or person who is fondled; someone who is much loved.

Translations

See also

Etymology 2

From fondle + -ing.

Verb

fondling

  1. present participle of fondle
Derived terms

Noun

fondling (plural fondlings)

  1. The act of caressing; manifestation of tenderness.
    • Mickle
      Cyrus made no [] amorous fondling / To fan her pride, or melt her guardless heart.

References

  • Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, Springfield, Massachusetts, G.&C. Merriam Co., 1967