[f. FOND a. + -LING.]
† 1. A ‘fond’ or foolish person. Also transf. of animals. Obs.
c. 1440. York Myst., xix. 157.
| Þan schall þat fandelyng felle | |
| Be-lyue his bliss schall blynne. |
1547–64. Bauldwin, Mor. Philos. (Palfr.), 56. The vicious and rich faulty fondling should rule, by whom Common-weales are destroyed, or at the least hindered and defamed.
1589. Nashe, Anat. Absurd., 29. Howe farre are these fondlings from imitating Crates the Philosopher, who to the intent that he might more quietly studie Philosophy, threw all his goods into the sea, saying, hence from me, you vngratious appetites, I had rather drowne you, then you should drowne me.
1594. Chapman, Shadow of Night, Eja.
| Thou and thy Nimphs shall stop his mouth with mire, | |
| And mocke the fondling, for his mad aspire. |
1613–6. W. Browne, Brit. Past. II. i.
| See how yonder fondlings teare | |
| Their fleeces in the brakes. |
1674. N. Fairfax, A Treatise of the Bulk and Selvedge of the World, To Rdr. I should lacken it as much by making such a Fondling the Penman of it.
1781. J. Hutton, Tour to Caves, Gloss. Fondling, an ideot.
2. One who is fondly loved; one who is much fondled or caressed; a pet. Also fig. Now rare.
1640. H. Mill, Nights Search, 128.
| Now when this Spark is from his Fondling gone, | |
| If none come to her, then she’ll send for one. |
1692. R. L’Estrange, Fables, No. 248. Partiality in a Parent is commonly Unlucky, if not a little Unnatural, for Fondlings are in danger to be made Fools, by the very Error of their Education.
1699. Locke, Hum. Und. (ed. 4), IV. xix. § 16. That may shew it [an opinion] to be a Fondling of our own, but will by no means prove it to be an Offspring of Heaven, and of Divine Original.
1702. Rowe, Tamerl., III. i. 1059.
| The Fondling once of her dear Father’s Arms, | |
| Is come to claim her share in his Misfortunes. |
1788. Mad. D’Arblay, Diary, 5 Jan. His surprise, when he found they [her frogs] were kept in glasses, for fondlings and favourites, was irresistible to Miss P——, who with great difficulty forbore laughing out.
1834. Southey, Doctor, I. ix. 111. He became his father’s companion imperceptibly as he ceased to be his fondling.
