fain

Adjective · Adverb

Synonyms: disposed(p)inclined(p)prepared gladly lief

WordNet 3.0

Adjective (1)

having made preparations“prepared to take risks”Synonyms: disposed(p)inclined(p)prepared

Adverb (1)

in a willing manner“this was gladly agreed to”“I would fain do it”Synonyms: gladly lief

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Fain \Fain\, a. [OE. fain, fagen, AS. f[ae]gen; akin to OS. fagan, Icel. faginn glad; AS. f[ae]gnian to rejoice, OS. fagan[=o]n, Icel. fagna, Goth. fagin[=o]n, cf. Goth. fah[=e]ds joy; and fr. the same root as E. fair. Srr Fair, a., and cf. Fawn to court favor.]

1.Well-pleased; glad; apt; wont; fond; inclined. [1913 Webster]

Men and birds are fain of climbing high.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

To a busy man, temptation is fainto climb up together with his business.— Jer. Taylor.[1913 Webster]

2.Satisfied; contented; also, constrained. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

The learned Castalio was fain to make trechers at Basle to keep himself from starving.— Locke.[1913 Webster]

Fain \Fain\, adv. With joy; gladly; -- with wold. [1913 Webster]

He would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat. --Luke xv. 16. [1913 Webster]

Fain Would I woo her, yet I dare not. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Fain \Fain\, v. t. & i. To be glad; to wish or desire. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Whoso fair thing does fain to see. --Spencer. [1913 Webster] Faineance