fon-due also fon-du \fan-'d(y)u, *fan-,\ n [F fondue, fr. fern, of fondu, pp. of fondre to melt, fr. MF — more at found] (1878) 1 a (1): a preparation of melted cheese (as Swiss cheese and Gruyere) usu. flavored with white wine and kirsch (2) : a dish that consists of small pieces of food (as meat or fruit) cooked in or dipped into a hot liquid (beef ~) (chocolate ~> b : a chafing dish in which fondue is made 2 : a baked dish similar to a souffle usu. made with cheese and bread crumbs.

Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary