fain

¹fain

adj \ˈfān\

Definition of FAIN

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>

Examples of FAIN

1. <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

Synonyms: amenable, disposed, willing, game, glad, inclined, minded, ready

Antonyms: disinclined, unamenable, unwilling

Related Words: predisposed, prone; accommodating, agreeable, compliant, cooperative, obedient, obliging, submissive; favorable, receptive; prepared, prompt, quick, responsive, swift; desirous, eager, enthused, enthusiastic, excited

Near Antonyms: averse, loath (also loth or loathe), reluctant, reticent

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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