Etymograph

English

fondant

Fondant comes from French fondant ‘melting’, from fondre ‘to melt’, and ultimately from Latin fundere.

  1. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEfundere‘to melt’
  2. Old Frenchc. 842–1400fondre
  3. Frenchc. 1600–presentsame form‘to melt’
  4. French, derivedc. 1600–presentfondant‘melting’
  5. Englishearliest quotation 1889same form

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed

Earlier history not traced here.

Lineage

  1. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEfundere‘to melt’
  2. Old Frenchc. 842–1400fondre
  3. Frenchc. 1600–presentsame form‘to melt’
  4. French, derivedc. 1600–presentfondant‘melting’
  5. Englishearliest quotation 1889same form

Earliest quotation: 1889, Rudyard Kipling, A Second-rate Woman: “Don't!" said Mrs. Mallowe, feebly. "You make my head…”

Linked words

through Old French fondre

found, 1 more

through French fondre ‘to melt’

foundry, fondue, 1 more

Today it means

noun A flavored, creamy sugar preparation, used for icing cakes or as a base for candies.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / Latin fundere / fondant

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