Also 7, 9 fonds, 8 fonde. Now only as an alien word. [a. F. fond, fonds:—OF. fonz, fons (see FOUNCE).
The word became fully naturalized in the 17th c. In the 18th c. it was superseded in ordinary use by FUND, which is a refashioned form after L. fundus. Subsequently, however, the F. word frequently appears (usually in italics) in Eng. writers. In F., the forms fond and fonds, formerly used indiscriminately, are now differentiated in sense; but Eng. writers often use the wrong form.]
1. Foundation, ground, groundwork (in various applications). (In Fr. now written fond.)
1664. Evelyn, trans. Freart’s Archit., 141. All the Walls are most richly incrusted with all sorts of precious Marbles … cut and lay’d into a fonds or ground of black-Marble.
1665. Sir P. Warwick, in Evelyn’s Mem. (1819), II. 162. He’l make an essay whether out of the present Prizes (wch if his Maty will not employ to this vse, being a better fond of credit, he may be repaied from this Assignmt) he can get you a considble sum.
1704. Swift, T. Tub, iv. 93. This Grandeur … could not be maintained without a better Fonde than what he was born to.
1825. Jeffrey, in Edin. Rev., Aug., 429. But the fonds of the character is the same.
1844. Thackeray, in Fraser’s Mag., XXIX. Feb., 155/2. The spirits are for the most part artificial, the fond is sadness, as appears to me to be that of most Irish writing and people.
1867. Lowell, Lett. (1894), I. 394. But as for the Kelts, there is no early French literature of any value in which the Teutonic blood did not supply the fond. The history of the language proves it, if nothing else did.
b. Lace-making. (See quots.)
1882. Caulfeild & Saward, Dict. Needlework, Fond.—Identical with Champ, Entoilage, and Treille, terms by which the groundwork of lace, whether of Needle or Pillow, is distinguished from the Toilé, or pattern, which it surrounds and supports. These grounds are divided into Fonds Claire, Brides Claire, and Brides Ornées. The Fonds claire include the Réseau, or net-patterned grounds, and varieties of the same, such as Dame Joan, Honeycomb, and Star grounds.
2. A source of supply, stock, store or stores. Obs. in material sense. (In Fr. now fonds.)
1685. Dryden, Albion & Albanus, Preface. Here therefore, if they will Criticize, they shall do it out of their own Fond.
1704. Swift, T. Tub, vii. 142. Either some new Fonde of Wit should, if possible, be provided, or else that we must e’en be content with Repetition here, as well as upon all other Occasions.
1707. Curios. in Husb. & Gard., 92. The Juices of Plants are one of the richest Fonds of Physick.
1872. Mrs. Oliphant, Ombra, I. ii. 17. Kate herself was not indifferent to the fond of appreciation thus secured to her.
† 3. A stock or sum of money, esp. one set apart for a particular purpose; pecuniary means, revenues. (In Fr. now fonds.) Obs.
1673. Temple, Observ. United Prov., Wks. 1731, I. 38. This Fond being not sufficient in Times of War, is supplied by the States with whatever more is necessary from other Fonds.
1690. Will. III., Sp. Parl., 25 Nov., in Lond. Gaz., No. 2613/1. It is high time also to put you in mind of making some Provision for the Expence of the Civil Government, which has no Fonds for its Support.
1691. T. H[ale], Acc. New Invent., p. cxi. The want of any Fonds to support the Charge of such Office.
† 4. A sum of money, a stock of goods, or amount of revenues, serving as a security for specified payments. (In Fr. now fonds.) Obs.
1677. Chas. II., in Marvell, Growth Popery, 39. Without the sum Six hundred thousand pounds, or Credit for such a sum, upon new Fonds, it will not be possible for him to speak, or act those things which should answer the ends of their severall Addresses, without exposing the Kingdom to much Greater danger.
a. 1687. Petty, Pol. Arith., x. (1691), 114. Making a Fond of such value, to be security for all Commodities.
1693. Mem. Ct. Teckely, I. i. 47. The Princess … had seized the fonds whereupon the Pension of their Ministers was assigned.
1714. Lond. Gaz., No. 5260/4. Debts … secur’d by Judgment, Statute, Recognizance, Fond, or Specialty.
† 5. Printing = FOUNT. Obs.
1678. Phillips, Fond or Fund … Among Letter-founders, a parcel of Printing Letters, as many as are Printed at a time.
