Main Entry: ¹fain

Pronunciation: \ˈfān\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English fagen, fayn, from Old English fægen; akin to Old English gefēon to rejoice, Old High German gifehan, Old Norse feginn happy

Date: before 12th century

1 archaic : happy, pleased
2 archaic : inclined, desirous
3 a : willing <he was very fain, for the young widow was “altogether fair and lovely…” — Amy Kelly> b : being obliged or constrained : compelled <Great Britain was fain to devote its whole energy…to the business of slaying and being slain — G. M. Trevelyan>