fondant

Meanings

1. A flavored, creamy sugar preparation, used for icing cakes or as a base for candies.
2. A candy or cake filled with such a preparation.
3. A sugar dough, usually prepared as large sheets (rolled fondant), used in place of icing to cover large areas of cakes, composed of sugar, water, gelatin, glycerine.
4. Fondue.
5. The base or flux, in enamel, which is colored throughout by metallic oxide while in a state of fusion.
6. Facial makeup (cosmetics), when used excessively.

Etymology

19th century. Unadapted borrowing from French fondant (“melting”), from fondre (“to melt”), from Latin fundere (“to melt”).