A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Fon, Fone, v. [ME. fonne (15th c.), of obscure origin.]
1. intr. To be foolish; to play the fool.c1450-2 Howlat 830.
The fulis fonde in the flet c1500-c1512 Dunbar Tua Mar. W. 274.
With kissing, & with clapping, I gert the carill fon 1535 Stewart 7707.
His pomp, his pryde, … Quhilk causit him rycht far that tyme to fone [: Albione] c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2654.
Quhen fillokis, into Fyfe, began to fon, With Joke, and Thom 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 30.
Scho … causit the rest of the Hamiltonis to fon for faynnes
2. tr. To play with, fondle.a1500 Peblis to Play 66.
Ane said, ‘the fairest fallis me, Tak ȝe the laif and fone thame’
