fain Hear it!

fain definition

fain (fān)

adjective

  1. glad; ready
  2. reluctantly willing
  3. eager

Etymology: ME joyful, joyfully < OE fægen, glad, akin to ON feginn < IE base *pek-, to be satisfied > fair

adverb

Archaic with eagerness; gladly: used with would he would fain stay

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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