fond adj. (the mod. sense ‘having a strong affection or liking for’ is first recorded from S., who construes it with “of” Wint. I. ii. 164, John III. iv. 92, 98, Oth. V. ii. 155, and “on” MND. II. i. 266, Sonn. lxxxiv. 14; a contemporary sense, ‘foolishly affectionate, doting’, is doubtfully represented)
1.
infatuated, foolish, silly
(the commonest sense in S. and in the Eliz. period,
since when the literary use has been narrowed to
that of ‘foolishly credulous or
sanguine’).
2.
trifling, trivial
Meas. II. ii. 149
“ sicles,”
Ham. I. v. 99
“trivial fond
records.”
3.
eager (for), desirous
(of): construed with “of”
Cor. V. iii. 162,
Cym. I. i. 37
“Then old and of
issue”
; with “with”
Lucr. 134; with infinitive AYL. II. iii. 7.