Middle English Dictionary Entry
fǒnnen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | fǒnnen v. Also fon. |
| Etymology | Perhaps from fǒnne n. However, the ppl. fonned is attested as early as the noun. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. fonned.
1.
To be foolish, misguided, mad; to act or speak foolishly.
Associated quotations
- c1425 Bible SNT(1) (Cmb Dd.12.39)Deeds 26.24 : Poule, þou fonnes; myche letturere turnes þe vnto foly.
- (1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)35/30 : Men ha fonnyd with wordys of bakbyttyngis agayns me.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)8.1541 : Thus gan he fonne & falle in fantasie.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)48/89 : Noye, in faythe, þe fonnes full faste.
- c1450(?a1400) Parl.3 Ages (Add 31042)183 : Þou fonnes full ȝerne, For alle fantome and foly that thou with faris.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)2208 : He..gart þem fondly fon.
- c1450 WBible(2) (Bod 277)Deut.32.21 : Fonnend [Roy 1.C.8: Y schal terre hem to yre in a fonned folk].
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)32/117 : Þou shewyst a ffebyl reson, me thynke. What, þou fonnyst as a best, I gesse.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)112/393 : Herk, syrs, ye fon, I shall you teche.
2.
To fool or make a fool of (someone), to dupe, befuddle; mislead or deceive.
Associated quotations
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.1998 : I was so fonned vppon hir fairnesse, Þat finally þus with me it stood: Þat al a ȝere I with hir [a]bood.
- a1425 By a forest (Bod 596)111 : Thei fonned him in his age hore.
- c1450(a1449) Lydg.SSecr.(Sln 2464)570 : The fals Erryng hath fonnyd many Oon.
- c1450 Spec.Chr.(2) (Hrl 6580)24/4 : He deserueth to be forȝete of god, to be fonnyde [L infatuari] to suffyr vilany.
- a1475 Rev.St.Bridget (Gar 145)56/26 : Salamon, that was full of wysdom; and ȝett he was fonned.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)239/360 : Soyn shall we fon hym.