In a way that shows love, affection, or tender feelings; with sentimental attachment or gentle affection.
From the adjective 'fond' (from Old Norse 'fá' meaning to be pleased) with the adverbial suffix '-ly.' The word originally meant foolish in Middle English but evolved to mean affectionate by the 1500s.
The word 'fond' actually meant 'foolish' in medieval times—people literally thought love made you stupid! By the 1500s, 'fond' shifted to mean affectionate, showing how emotions and foolishness got tangled together in language.
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