fain
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1fain
adjective \ˈfān\Definition of FAIN
3
See Examples of FAIN
- <during the Renaissance most men of science and the arts were fain to express their noblest thoughts in Latin, the lingua franca of the learned>
Origin of FAIN
Middle English fagen, fayn, from Old English fægen; akin to Old English gefēon to rejoice, Old High German gifehan, Old Norse feginn happy
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to FAIN
Rhymes with FAIN
ain, Aisne, ane, Bain, bane, blain, brain, cane, chain, crane, deign, drain, fane, feign, gain, grain, Kane, lane, Lane, main, mane, pain, Paine, pane, plain, plane, quean, rain, reign, rein, sain, sane, seine, Seine, skein, Spain, sprain, stain, strain, swain, thane, thegn, train, twain, Twain, vain, vane, vein, wain, wane, Wayne
2fain
adverbDefinition of FAIN
1
: with pleasure : gladly <a speech of fire that fain would blaze — Michael Billington>
2
a : by preference <knew it, too, though he would fain not admit it publicly — John Lukacs> b : by desire <I would fain consult you — W. S. Gilbert>
Examples of FAIN
- <“I would fain not marry that suitor, my lord,” the princess pleaded>
First Known Use of FAIN
12th century
Related to FAIN
- Antonyms
- involuntarily, unwillingly
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