fondly

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English

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Etymology

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From Middle English fondly, fondely, fonnedli, equivalent to fond +‎ -ly.

Pronunciation

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Adverb

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fondly (comparative more fondly, superlative most fondly)

  1. In a fond manner; affectionately; tenderly.
    He looked fondly at the pictures of his high-school friends.
  2. (dated) Foolishly.
    • 1673, John Milton, When I Consider How My Light Is Spent ('On His Blindness')
      "Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?" / I fondly ask...
    • 1861, The Living Age:
      [] she fondly believes that ten millions of the free people of the Union will allow her and her seceding brethren to open and shut the portals of this mighty region at their pleasure.