fon·dle

[fon-dl] verb, fon·dled, fon·dling.
verb (used with object)
1.
to handle or touch lovingly, affectionately, or tenderly; caress: to fondle a precious object; to fondle a child.
2.
Obsolete. to treat with fond indulgence.
verb (used without object)
3.
to show fondness, as by manner, words, or caresses.

Origin:
1685–95; fond (v.) (derivative of fond1) + -le

fon·dler, noun
fon·dling·ly, adverb
o·ver·fon·dle, verb, o·ver·fon·dled, o·ver·fon·dling.
un·fon·dled, adjective

fondling, foundling.


1. cuddle, snuggle, pet, pat, stroke.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To fondle
00:10
Fondle is one of our favorite verbs.
So is peculate. Does it mean:
to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly.
to steal or take dishonestly (money, esp. public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle.
Collins
World English Dictionary
fondle (ˈfɒndəl) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb
1.  (tr) to touch or stroke tenderly; caress
2.  archaic (intr) to act in a loving manner
 
[C17: from (obsolete) vb fond to fondle; see fond1]
 
'fondler
 
n
 
'fondlingly
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

fondle
1690s, "treat with indulgence and affection," frequentative of fond "dote upon" (see fond). Sense of "caress" first recorded 1796. Related: Fondled; fondling (1670s)
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Example sentences
Police suspect that sometimes he stayed to fondle her.
He often took her to secluded parts of the plant where he would kiss and fondle
  her.
In any case, the result was that instead of social delousing humans had to
  start to fondle each other in more ritualistic manner.
They fondle and kiss until beholders are fairly nauseated.
Related Words
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT