From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Fondness \Fond"ness\, n.
1. The quality or state of being fond; foolishness. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
Fondness it were for any, being free,
To covet fetters, though they golden be. --Spenser.
[1913 Webster]
2. Doting affection; tender liking; strong appetite,
propensity, or relish; as, he had a fondness for truffles.
[1913 Webster]
My heart had still some foolish fondness for thee.
--Addison.
Syn: Attachment; affection; love; kindness.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
fondness
n 1: a predisposition to like something; "he had a fondness for
whiskey" [syn: fondness, fancy, partiality]
2: a positive feeling of liking; "he had trouble expressing the
affection he felt"; "the child won everyone's heart"; "the
warmness of his welcome made us feel right at home" [syn:
affection, affectionateness, fondness, tenderness,
heart, warmness, warmheartedness, philia]
3: a quality proceeding from feelings of affection or love [syn:
affectionateness, fondness, lovingness, warmth]