fain

/feɪn/

adjective6

•
(dialect, no longer used) Often followed by of: glad, well-pleased.
- VVhat is the trust or strength of foolish man? / They that of late vvere daring vvith their scoffes, / Are glad and faine by flight to saue themselues. — 1591
•
(dialect, no longer used) Glad, contented, or satisfied to do something in the absence of a better alternative.
- [T]hey vvere faine to patche uppe the Matter vvith a little piece of Paper clappid over the foresaid VVordes, […] — 1559
•
(dialect, no longer used) Compelled or obliged to.
- Penker in his sermõ [sermon] so lost his voice that he was faine to leaue of [off] & come downe in the middes. — 1513
•
(dialect, no longer used) Chiefly followed by to, or (obsolete) for or of: eager or willing, or inclined.
- Man and Birds are fayne of climbing high. — 1591
(no longer used) Favourable, well-disposed.
(no longer used) Accustomed, apt, wont.

•
(no longer used) With joy or pleasure; gladly.
- And in her hand she held a mirrhour bright, / VVherein her face she often vevved fayne, / And in her selfe-lou'd semblance tooke delight; / For she vvas vvondrous faire, as any liuing vvight. — 1590
•
(no longer used) By choice or will; willingly.
- Now vvould I giue a thousand furlongs of Sea, for an Acre of barren ground: Long heath, Brovvne firrs, any thing; the vvills aboue be done, but I vvould faine dye a dry death. — 1610

forms

fained · faining · faineth · fains · fainer · more fain · fainest · most fain