fain Hear it!

fain Definition

fain (fān)

adjective

  1. glad; ready
  2. reluctantly willing
  3. eager

Etymology: ME joyful, joyfully < OE fægen, glad, akin to ON feginn < IE base *pek-, to be satisfied > fair

adverb

Archaic with eagerness; gladly: used with would he would fain stay

fain Usage Examples

Infinitive complement

  • follow: Dick would have withheld him, had he been in time; as it was, he was fain to follow.
  • see: This frightened heart is fain To see restored again My Charioteer, in Krishna's kind disguise.
  • do: So that in effect he was fain to do all things himself.

Modifies a noun

  • ti: Add to this, that He says to Owein, Pell o Fôn fain wyt ti, dwythwal werin &c.
fain Quotes

Is there any room at your head, Sanders? Is there any room at your feet? Or any room at your twa sides, Where fain, fain I would sleep? There is nae room at my head, Margaret, There is nae room at my feet; My bed it is the cold, cold grave; Among the hungry worms I sleep.

—Ballads