Plural of fondling; multiple acts of caressing affectionately, or multiple people (especially children or animals) who are fondled or cherished.
From 'fondling' (noun, meaning 'a foundling' historically, but also 'acts of fondling') plus the regular plural suffix '-s'. The word 'fondling' has dual roots: originally meant a foundling child (16th c.), later generalized to caressing behavior.
The word 'fondling' has a fascinating double life—it originally meant a foundling (an abandoned child), which makes sense because 'fond' meant 'foolish' or 'weak' at one point, so a fondling was a foolish or helpless infant! The 'caressing' meaning is actually a later development.
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