Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun obsolete A fool or idiot.
  • adjective obsolete Foolish; simple; silly.
  • verb intransitive, obsolete To be foolish or simple; act like a fool; dote.
  • noun A chieftain or king of a region of Cameroon.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Middle English fon, fonne, of North Germanic origin, related to Swedish fåne ("a fool, idiot, prat") (compare Swedish fånig ("foolish")), Icelandic fáni ("a buoyant, high-flying person", literally "a standard, flag"), from Proto-Germanic *fanô (“cloth, rag”), from Proto-Indo-European *pān- (“fabric”). Cognate with Old English fana ("a banner, standard"). More at vane.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Middle English fonnen, from fon, fonne ("fool").

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Examples

Comments

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  • In Nigeria, a tribal chief.

    "Further trouble is recorded between the Fon of Bum and Chief of Sawe, who had refused to hand over a leopardskin. For this he was fined £2 by the Court and ordered to hand over the leopardskin. After discussion with the Bum Council, S.D.O. Brayne-Baker confirmed the fine but made it clear that the skin must not be taken from Sawe by force. The Fon says he does not want to revive old quarrels, but he has the support of the other sub-chiefs who say that Sawe has no right to the skin."

    - 'Working Notes On The Kingdom Of Bum', E. M. Chilver.

    January 3, 2008

  • The Fon of Bum ascends to my favourites list up there with the Na of Wa and the Akond of Swat. And how pleasant to know the Kingdom of Bum is governed with the help of the wise deliberations of the Bum Council.

    July 17, 2009