† fainn.

Etymology: < fain adj.

Obsolete.

Gladness, joy.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pleasure > joy, gladness, or delight > [noun]

merrinesseOE

gladnessc900

mirtheOE

playeOE

dreamOE

gladshipc975

lissOE

willOE

hightOE

blithenessc1000

gladc1000

winOE

blissc1175

delices?c1225

delight?c1225

joy?c1225

comfortc1230

listc1275

gladhead1303

daintyc1325

fainnessc1340

lightnessa1350

delectationc1384

delightingc1390

comfortationa1400

fainheada1400

blithec1400

fainc1400

delicacyc1405

gladsomeness1413

reveriea1425

joyousitiea1450

joyfulnessc1485

jucundity1536

joyousness1549

joc1560

delightfulness1565

jouissance1579

joyance1590

levitya1631

revelling1826

chuckle1837

joyancy1849

a song in one's heart1862

delightsomeness1866

c1400 Ywaine & Gaw. 2086 Alsone als he saw him stand For fayn he liked fote and hand.

c1440 Bone Flor. 844 Syr Garcy went crowlande for fayne.

c1460 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Laud) l. 3852 Laban then he did to calle ffor fayne of hym his frendis alle.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online March 2021).

fainadj.adv.

Brit.

/feɪn/, U.S.

/feɪn/

Forms: α. Old English fæȝen, fæȝn, Middle English fæin, fein, vein, vayn, Middle English–1500s fayn(e, (Middle English faynne), Middle English ( fyne), Middle English feyn(e, Middle English–1600s faine, Middle English fyene, Middle English–1500s fane, 1500s faint, ( fayen), (1600s–1800s feign), Middle English– fain. Also comparative Middle English fenre. β. Middle English faȝe(n, Middle English vawe, Middle English fawe(n, (Middle English faue).

Etymology: Old English fægen, fægn = Old Saxon fagan, fagin, Old Norse feginn; allied to Old English geféon (past tense feah), Old High German (gi-) fehan (past tense fah) to rejoice.

A. adj.

a. Glad, rejoiced, well-pleased. Often in phrases, full fain, glad and fain. Const. of; also followed by infinitive or subordinate clause. Now chiefly dialect or poetic.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pleasure > joy, gladness, or delight > [adjective]

fainc888

gladlyc1000

golikc1175

gladful?c1225

joyfulc1290

joyousc1315

merryc1380

well begonea1425

frikec1430

rejoiced1533

delightful1534

rejoiceful1538

blitheful1559

gladded1569

blithelike1570

delighted1581

lighted1596

delighting1601

joyed1640

enjoying1651

gladdened1729

glad1799

like (or proud as) a dog with two tails1829

joyant1834

bird-blithe1917

gassed1941

enthralled1944

α.

c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xl. §5 Ic bio swiþe fægn gif ðu me lædest þider ic ðe bidde.

OE Beowulf 1633 Ferdon forð þonon feþelastum ferhþum fægne.

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 2442 Þe duc þer-fore fain [c1300 Otho glad] wes.

1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 4552 Of þair dede þai sal be fayn.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 20452 I am ful fain yee ar me mid.

c1420 Chron. Vilod. 974 Bot þen was þis wrechede mon full fayne.

a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xii. 106 Now in hart full fane.

1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) II. 589 He..of thair cuming wes so glaid and fane.

a1569 A. Kingsmill Viewe Mans Estate (1580) i. 7 He is very faine of the findyng of suche a fielde.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) iii. v. 73 Are glad and faine by flight to saue themselues.

a1639 J. Dyke Right Receiving of Christ (1640) iv. 56 Then full faine wilt thou be to have Chirst [sic] Iesus receive thy soule.

1664 Floddan Field vii. 65 And of his welfare all were fain.

1786 R. Burns Twa Dogs xx, in Poems 16 My heart has been sae fain to see them.

1841 W. Wordsworth in R. H. Horne Poems G. Chaucer, Modernized 43 I should be wondrous fain That shamefully they one and all were slain.

1863 E. C. Gaskell Sylvia's Lovers I. 195 My master is quite fain of his company.

1876 W. Morris Story of Sigurd iii. 176 And fain and full was my heart.

β. 1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 218 So þat hii mette hem þer, boþe hii were wel vawe.c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 3800 War-for y am wel fawe.

b. Proverb.

ΚΠ

1471 G. Ripley Compound of Alchymy v, in E. Ashmole Theatrum Chem. Britannicum (1652) 157 Fayre promys makyth folys fayne.

1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 19 Heere you may see..y^e faire woords that make fooles faine.

1829 W. Scott Anne of Geierstein I. iv. 113 Fine words to make foolish maidens fain.

a. Const. to with infinitive. Glad under the circumstances; glad or content to take a certain course in default of opportunity for anything better, or as the lesser of two evils.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [adjective] > willing under the circumstances

fainc1330

α.

c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1725) 28 Þei were fayn to ask pes.

1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 230 He was faine him self to save.

1559 in J. Strype Ann. Reformation (1725) I. App. ix. 26 They were faine to patche uppe the matter with a little piece of paper clapped over the foresaid wordes.

1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. i. 143 I must be faine to pawne..my plate.

1631 W. Gouge Gods Three Arrowes ii. §26. 170 Men were faine to eate horse-flesh.

1693 J. Locke Some Thoughts conc. Educ. §89. 105 Castalio was fain to make Trenchers at Basle to keep himself from starving.

1810 W. Combe Schoolmaster's Tour in Poet. Mag. Aug. 146 Pleas'd with the prospect, he was feign To yawn, and go to sleep again.

1839 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece VII. liv. 52 He was fain to take shelter in a canal.

1882 M. E. Braddon Mt. Royal II. vi. 115 Christabel was fain to make the best of her life at Mount Royal.

β. c1330 Arth. & Merl. 208 To fle sone he was wel fawe.

b. This passes gradually into the sense: Necessitated, obliged.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > necessity > [adjective] > necessitated by circumstance

necessary?a1425

faina1535

perforce1580

like1828

obliged1892

a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 58/1 Penker..so lost his voice that he was faine to leaue off.

1676 M. Hale Contempl. Moral & Divine i. 103 In this condition, he is fain to bear his burdensom Cross towards the place of his Execution.

a1682 Sir T. Browne Certain Misc. Tracts (1683) i. 7 Many Plants are mention'd in Scripture..under such Names..as they are fain to be rendred by analogy.

1685 H. More Paralipomena Prophetica 315 A Cannon of so vast a bigness, that it was fain to be drawn by seventy yoke of Oxen.

1722 W. Sewel Hist. Quakers (1795) I. Pref. 23 I have been fain to trust the oversight..of my work to others.

1841 I. D'Israeli Amenities Lit. II. 205 Ascham, indeed, was fain to apologise for having written in English.

1884 F. M. Crawford Rom. Singer (ed. 2) I. 93 He was fain to acknowledge that she was right.

a. Disposed, inclined or willing, eager. Const. †of, †for, to with infinitive. archaic or dialect.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [adjective]

freeeOE

well-willingOE

readyc1175

fainc1275

buxoma1300

prestc1300

liefc1325

rifec1390

willyc1390

baina1400

willinga1400

listyc1440

towardc1440

appliable1449

pronea1450

wilfulc1460

prompt?a1475

content1477

towardly1513

contenteda1525

towards1525

fond1529

comingc1576

unrefusinga1586

open-armed1594

voluntary1598

gainsome1629

easy1653

unreluctant1654

nothing loath1667

applicable1702

irreluctanta1706

unhesitating1753

unloath1861

prone-minded1869

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 3486 For elchen vuele he wes fein.

1340–70 Alex. & Dind. 237 So it farus bi folk þat fain is to teche.

a1605 A. Montgomerie Natur Passis Nuriture 34 To fang his friendship they war fane.

1805 R. Anderson Ballads in Cumberland Dial. 20 The..sleet and snaw are nought at aw, If yen were fain to gang!

1851 ‘L. Mariotti’ Italy in 1848 75 The gentle and respectful behaviour of the soldiery in what they were fain to look upon as a land of conquest.

1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 83 Vain for a man to think that he Can hide what a woman is fain to know!

†b. Apt, wont. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > [adjective] > accustomed, used, or wont

wontc888

haunteda1325

accustomed1429

consuetec1503

acquainted1572

frequent1575

occasioned1576

fain1596

wontlike1601

habited1605

habituate1606

wonted1611

practised1656

1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. viii. sig. H3^v Whose steadie hand was faine his steede to guyde.

1650 Bp. J. Taylor Rule & Exercises Holy Living i. §1. 7 To a busie man temptation is fain to climbe up together with his businesses.

†4. Well-disposed, favourable. Const. of or dative. Also in fair and fain. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > wish or inclination > [adjective] > favourably

bethoughta1250

fainc1275

agreeable1448

inclinablec1449

favourablec1460

inclined1561

hospitable1655

non-resistant1796

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 6347 Lauerd king Aldroein ofte þe wurðe Godd fæin [c1300 Otho fain].

c1305 11,000 Virgins 134 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 69 Ourse of britaigne Þo hi fonde such a creatoure, so fair & so fayne.

c1440 Sir Gowther 679 Fader, and Sone, and Holy Gost, Of owre sowles be fayne.

1861 D. G. Rossetti tr. Dante Vita Nuova in Early Ital. Poets ii. 275 I..saw Love coming towards me, fair and fain.]

B. adv.

Gladly, willingly, with pleasure. Frequent in I, he, etc. would (†had) fain; otherwise Obsolete or archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [adverb]

to goodeOE

thankc888

yernec888

lieflyc900

lovelyeOE

lustly971

willinglyOE

wilfullyc1000

with (also mid) heart and hand (also hands)OE

fainc1175

lustilya1225

lief1297

yfaȝea1300

blethelyc1300

goodlya1375

blelyc1380

willingc1384

bainc1400

acceptably1479

bainlya1500

cheerfully1523

towardly1523

desirously1531

pronely?1532

fainly1535

wilningly1597

bongre1598

libentiously1606

volently1614

propensely1648

easily1649

with (a) good grace1650

unreluctantly1655

with the best will (in the world)1814

unhesitatingly1829

unqualifyingly1841

unloathly1844

happily1889

α.

c1175 Lamb. Hom. 35 Ic walde fein pinian and sitten on forste and on snawe.

a1250 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Nero) (1952) 85 Vor uein wolde þe hexte cwemen ou.

c1290 S. Eng. Leg. 272/53 I chulle þe telle fayn.

c1440 York Myst. xx. 121 And if þou wolde neuere so fayne.

1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 430/3 The soppes of which he fayne ete.

a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1959) ix. iv. 64 To bryng agane Eneas ful fane thai wald.

1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. cxxv. 151 The kyng..demaunded of them whyther they wolde faynest go.

1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. iv. sig. D^v A mirrhour..Wherein her face she often vewed fayne.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) i. i. 63 I would faine dye a dry death.

1709 G. Berkeley Ess. New Theory of Vision §86. 98 I wou'd fain know wherein consists that Sharpness.

1801 R. Southey Thalaba II. x. 216 He full fain would sleep.

1858 J. M. Neale tr. Rhythm of Bernard de Morlaix 32 My spirit seeks thee fain.

1874 J. Morley On Compromise 67 Those who would fain divide the community into two great castes.

1876 W. Morris Story of Sigurd iii. 173 She..kisseth her sweet and fain.

1880 R. Broughton Second Thoughts II. ii. vii. 35 She had fainer not.

β. c1330 King of Tars 1058 Ageyn the soudan he gan hyghe, And wolde hym sle ful fawe.c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 308 Þanne wolde þay wel faȝe ȝif þei miȝt helpe to þat sir Olyuer hadde be slaȝe.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

† fainv.¹

Forms: Old English fægenian, fægnian, fahnian, Middle English faȝenien, Middle English faȝnien, fainen, ( fawe), Middle English–1500s fayne, (Middle English feyn), Middle English–1600s faine. See also fawn v.¹

Etymology: Old English fægnian , fægenian ( < fægen , fain n.) = Old Norse fagna, Old Saxon faganôn, faginôn, Old High German faginôn, feginôn, Gothic faginôn.

Obsolete.

a. intransitive. To be delighted or glad, rejoice. Const. of (earlier genitive), on, in; with to and infinitive also, to desire, wish.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pleasure > joy, gladness, or delight > rejoicing or exultation > rejoice or exult [verb (intransitive)]

fainc888

blissc897

gladc950

hightOE

spilea1000

make mirthc1225

playc1225

gladdena1300

to make joyc1300

joisec1320

joya1325

rejoyc1350

enjoyc1380

to be joyeda1382

mirtha1400

gloryc1400

rejoicec1405

enjoysec1470

triumph1535

exult1593

to take joya1616

gratify1811

tripudiate1891

kvell1940

c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xxx. §1 Ne sceal he..to ungemetlice fægnian ðæs folces worda.

a1000 Boeth. Metr. i. 66 Fægnodon ealle.

c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Mark (Corpus Cambr.) xiv. 11 Þa hi þis gehyrdon hi fahnodon [c1160 Hatton G. fageneden].

c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 135 Fele shule faȝenien on his burde.

a1240 Ureisun in Cott. Hom. 199 Ȝif þu wult hit iðauien iwis he wule ðurchut fawe.

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 10900 Þa fainede swiðe folc an hirede. of Arðures cume.

a1300 E.E. Psalter v. 12 And fayne sal alle þat hope in þe.

a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xxxi. 14 Ffaynes in lord & glades rightwis.

c1380 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. in Sel. Wks. I. 246 Clerkis shulde..feyn to be discharged of erþeli goodis.

a1400–50 Alexander 1745 Feyne all with fairnes & fayne at þou may.

c1450 Mirour Saluacioun 417 And thogh some tyme be gude the werld make man to fayne.

1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene v. xii. sig. Y8 [She] faynes to weaue false tales.

b. To pretend kindness. Cf. fawn v.¹

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > servile flattery or currying favour > flatter servilely or curry favour [verb (intransitive)]

fain?c1225

fawnc1325

to make placebo1340

fagea1382

curryc1400

to curry favela1420

to claw (a person's) toea1500

to curry favour?1518

to be at the school of placebo1554

to play (with) placebo1583

insinuatea1593

wriggle1601

lick1602

sycophantize1605

gnathonize1619

pickthank1621

supparasitate1623

ingratiate1647

slaver1730

toad-eat1766

slaum1787

to eat (any one's) toads1788

toad1802

bootlick1846

toady1861

to suck in1899

smoodge1906

smarm1911

arse-lick1928

bum-suck1930

to suck round1931

ass-lick1937

brown-nose1939

suck-hole1961

weasel1980

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 145 Hwenne ow ne wonteð nan þing þefaȝeneð wið ow.

2. transitive. To make glad. Hence to welcome (a person); also, to congratulate (const. of).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pleasure > joy, gladness, or delight > quality of causing joy or delight > make joyful or delighted [verb (transitive)]

blissa1000

faina1300

joy1303

delighta1382

rejoya1393

forblissa1400

gleea1400

rejoicec1425

blymc1440

delect1510

take?1553

gladden1558

oblectate1611

beglada1617

deliciate1633

delectate1647

to set (a person) cock-a-hoop1652

the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous act or expression > use courteous actions or expressions to [verb (transitive)] > welcome

welcomec1000

faina1300

to make joyc1300

to bid welcomea1400

to bid, wish (a person) welcome (home)a1400

gratulate?1567

bewelcome1582

greet1608

to give (someone) the glad hand1895

glad-hand1895

the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > compliment > congratulation > congratulate (a person) [verb (transitive)]

faina1300

joy1483

congratulate1548

gratulate1598

felicitate1638

compliment1718

to slap (someone) on the back1908

a1300 E.E. Psalter xlii[i]. 4 God þat faines mi youthede al.

a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1441 Eliezer..brogt him a wif..He fagnede hire wið milde mod.

c1390 (?c1350) Joseph of Arimathie (1871) l. 243 Þei..faynede me wiþ wordes, Bote þei hateden me.

c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) 2 Fayn wold þai here Sum farand þing efter fode to fayn þere her[t].

c1500 Roberte Deuyll (1798) 10 Of hys companye no man us fayne [in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) I. 227 is fayne].

3. To rejoice in, enjoy; also, to take to gladly, show preference for. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > love > liking or favourable regard > have liking for [verb (transitive)] > take a liking to

fain1483

fancy1545

conceit1589

to take kindly to1733

to take to ——1748

to take a shine to1839

tumble1887

to cotton on to1907

the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > [verb (transitive)] > enter into enjoyment of > enjoy or revel in

savoura1400

delighta1425

fain1483

to have, take felicity in or to1542

forage1593

batten1604

taste1605

to take out1609

to have a gust of1658

the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > choose in specific way [verb (transitive)] > choose in preference to others

have1340

prefera1393

to have rather1478

fain1483

prelect1620

dextralize1651

antepone1656

savour1714

preference1904

1483 W. Caxton tr. Caton E viij I wyl not that ye..suppose that..synnars faynen [L. lucrari] theyr synnes wythout to haue..punycyon..in thys world or in the other.

1606 W. Warner Continuance Albions Eng. xvi. ci. 399 The sprewsest Citie-Lads for her would faine the Countrie-aire.

Derivatives

† ˈfaining adj. Obsolete gladsome, affectionate; also, longing, wistful.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > love > affection > [adjective]

chisa700

lovewendeOE

lovingOE

lovelyOE

kinda1375

fond1539

fainingc1540

affectionate1576

affectioned1578

affectiousc1580

affectionateda1586

affecting1600

dear1609

affective1613

affectional1689

attached1734

aff1752

warm1765

lovey1920

c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 12732 Clunestra..Resayuit hym..With a faynond fare.

1596 E. Spenser Hymne in Honour of Love 216 His heavens queene..in his fayning eye Whose sole aspect he counts felicitye.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online December 2021).

fainv.²

Brit.

/feɪn/, U.S.

/feɪn/

Etymology: Variant or alteration of fen v.²

Chiefly School slang, originally regional.

= fen v.² Used in the expression fains or fain(s I, fain it, fainit(e)s: see quots.

ΚΠ

1870 Notes & Queries 4th Ser. VI. 415/2 ‘Fains’, or ‘Fain it’—A term demanding a ‘truce’ during the progress of any game, which is always granted by the opposing party.

1870 Notes & Queries 4th Ser. VI. 517/1 A boy who had ‘killed’ another at marbles, that is hit his marble, would call out ‘Fain it’, meaning ‘You mustn't shoot at me in return’; or if a boy was going to shoot, and some inequality of surface was in his way, which he would have cleared away, his antagonist would prevent him by calling out ‘Fain clears’.

1870 Notes & Queries 4th Ser. VI. 517/2 If a prefect wants anything fetched for him and does not say by whom, those who wish to get off going say ‘Fain I’.

1889 A. Barrère & C. G. Leland Dict. Slang Faints [sic], in vogue among schoolboys to express a wish temporarily to withdraw from participation in the particular sport or game being played.

1891 J. S. Farmer Slang II. 368/1 Fains! Fainits! Fain it! A call for truce.

1913 C. Mackenzie Sinister St. I. i. vii. 103 He could shout ‘fain I’ to be rid of an obligation and ‘bags I’ to secure an advantage.

1927 W. E. Collinson Contemp. Eng. 14 The custom of putting oneself out of the game altogether by crossing the fingers and saying pax! or faynights! [feinaits] or both together.

1948 J. Betjeman Sel. Poems 82 ‘I'd rather not.’ ‘Fains I.’ ‘It's up to you.’

1960 Guardian 1 July 9/7 The Englishman..could remain absolutely pax and fainites.

1969 I. Opie & P. Opie Children's Games i. 18 This rule is so embedded in children's minds that their immediate response to the proposal of a game is to cry out..‘Me fains first’.

1969 I. Opie & P. Opie Children's Games i. 18 He must safeguard himself by saying in one gulp, ‘Let's-play-Tig-fains-I-be-on-it’.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1933; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

n.c1400

adj.adv.c888

v.¹c888

v.²1870

单词	fain
释义	† fainn. Etymology: < fain adj. Obsolete. Gladness, joy. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pleasure > joy, gladness, or delight > [noun] merrinesseOE gladnessc900 mirtheOE playeOE dreamOE gladshipc975 lissOE willOE hightOE blithenessc1000 gladc1000 winOE blissc1175 delices?c1225 delight?c1225 joy?c1225 comfortc1230 listc1275 gladhead1303 daintyc1325 fainnessc1340 lightnessa1350 delectationc1384 delightingc1390 comfortationa1400 fainheada1400 blithec1400 fainc1400 delicacyc1405 gladsomeness1413 reveriea1425 joyousitiea1450 joyfulnessc1485 jucundity1536 joyousness1549 joc1560 delightfulness1565 jouissance1579 joyance1590 levitya1631 revelling1826 chuckle1837 joyancy1849 a song in one's heart1862 delightsomeness1866 c1400 Ywaine & Gaw. 2086 Alsone als he saw him stand For fayn he liked fote and hand. c1440 Bone Flor. 844 Syr Garcy went crowlande for fayne. c1460 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Laud) l. 3852 Laban then he did to calle ffor fayne of hym his frendis alle. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online March 2021). fainadj.adv. Brit. /feɪn/, U.S. /feɪn/ Forms: α. Old English fæȝen, fæȝn, Middle English fæin, fein, vein, vayn, Middle English–1500s fayn(e, (Middle English faynne), Middle English ( fyne), Middle English feyn(e, Middle English–1600s faine, Middle English fyene, Middle English–1500s fane, 1500s faint, ( fayen), (1600s–1800s feign), Middle English– fain. Also comparative Middle English fenre. β. Middle English faȝe(n, Middle English vawe, Middle English fawe(n, (Middle English faue). Etymology: Old English fægen, fægn = Old Saxon fagan, fagin, Old Norse feginn; allied to Old English geféon (past tense feah), Old High German (gi-) fehan (past tense fah) to rejoice. A. adj. 1. a. Glad, rejoiced, well-pleased. Often in phrases, full fain, glad and fain. Const. of; also followed by infinitive or subordinate clause. Now chiefly dialect or poetic. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pleasure > joy, gladness, or delight > [adjective] fainc888 gladlyc1000 golikc1175 gladful?c1225 joyfulc1290 joyousc1315 merryc1380 well begonea1425 frikec1430 rejoiced1533 delightful1534 rejoiceful1538 blitheful1559 gladded1569 blithelike1570 delighted1581 lighted1596 delighting1601 joyed1640 enjoying1651 gladdened1729 glad1799 like (or proud as) a dog with two tails1829 joyant1834 bird-blithe1917 gassed1941 enthralled1944 α. c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xl. §5 Ic bio swiþe fægn gif ðu me lædest þider ic ðe bidde. OE Beowulf 1633 Ferdon forð þonon feþelastum ferhþum fægne. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 2442 Þe duc þer-fore fain [c1300 Otho glad] wes. 1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 4552 Of þair dede þai sal be fayn. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 20452 I am ful fain yee ar me mid. c1420 Chron. Vilod. 974 Bot þen was þis wrechede mon full fayne. a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xii. 106 Now in hart full fane. 1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) II. 589 He..of thair cuming wes so glaid and fane. a1569 A. Kingsmill Viewe Mans Estate (1580) i. 7 He is very faine of the findyng of suche a fielde. a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) iii. v. 73 Are glad and faine by flight to saue themselues. View more context for this quotation a1639 J. Dyke Right Receiving of Christ (1640) iv. 56 Then full faine wilt thou be to have Chirst [sic] Iesus receive thy soule. 1664 Floddan Field vii. 65 And of his welfare all were fain. 1786 R. Burns Twa Dogs xx, in Poems 16 My heart has been sae fain to see them. 1841 W. Wordsworth in R. H. Horne Poems G. Chaucer, Modernized 43 I should be wondrous fain That shamefully they one and all were slain. 1863 E. C. Gaskell Sylvia's Lovers I. 195 My master is quite fain of his company. 1876 W. Morris Story of Sigurd iii. 176 And fain and full was my heart. β. 1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 218 So þat hii mette hem þer, boþe hii were wel vawe.c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 3800 War-for y am wel fawe. b. Proverb. ΚΠ 1471 G. Ripley Compound of Alchymy v, in E. Ashmole Theatrum Chem. Britannicum (1652) 157 Fayre promys makyth folys fayne. 1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 19 Heere you may see..y^e faire woords that make fooles faine. 1829 W. Scott Anne of Geierstein I. iv. 113 Fine words to make foolish maidens fain. 2. a. Const. to with infinitive. Glad under the circumstances; glad or content to take a certain course in default of opportunity for anything better, or as the lesser of two evils. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [adjective] > willing under the circumstances fainc1330 α. c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1725) 28 Þei were fayn to ask pes. 1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 230 He was faine him self to save. 1559 in J. Strype Ann. Reformation (1725) I. App. ix. 26 They were faine to patche uppe the matter with a little piece of paper clapped over the foresaid wordes. 1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. i. 143 I must be faine to pawne..my plate. View more context for this quotation 1631 W. Gouge Gods Three Arrowes ii. §26. 170 Men were faine to eate horse-flesh. 1693 J. Locke Some Thoughts conc. Educ. §89. 105 Castalio was fain to make Trenchers at Basle to keep himself from starving. 1810 W. Combe Schoolmaster's Tour in Poet. Mag. Aug. 146 Pleas'd with the prospect, he was feign To yawn, and go to sleep again. 1839 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece VII. liv. 52 He was fain to take shelter in a canal. 1882 M. E. Braddon Mt. Royal II. vi. 115 Christabel was fain to make the best of her life at Mount Royal. β. c1330 Arth. & Merl. 208 To fle sone he was wel fawe. b. This passes gradually into the sense: Necessitated, obliged. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > necessity > [adjective] > necessitated by circumstance necessary?a1425 faina1535 perforce1580 like1828 obliged1892 a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 58/1 Penker..so lost his voice that he was faine to leaue off. 1676 M. Hale Contempl. Moral & Divine i. 103 In this condition, he is fain to bear his burdensom Cross towards the place of his Execution. a1682 Sir T. Browne Certain Misc. Tracts (1683) i. 7 Many Plants are mention'd in Scripture..under such Names..as they are fain to be rendred by analogy. 1685 H. More Paralipomena Prophetica 315 A Cannon of so vast a bigness, that it was fain to be drawn by seventy yoke of Oxen. 1722 W. Sewel Hist. Quakers (1795) I. Pref. 23 I have been fain to trust the oversight..of my work to others. 1841 I. D'Israeli Amenities Lit. II. 205 Ascham, indeed, was fain to apologise for having written in English. 1884 F. M. Crawford Rom. Singer (ed. 2) I. 93 He was fain to acknowledge that she was right. 3. a. Disposed, inclined or willing, eager. Const. †of, †for, to with infinitive. archaic or dialect. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [adjective] freeeOE well-willingOE readyc1175 fainc1275 buxoma1300 prestc1300 liefc1325 rifec1390 willyc1390 baina1400 willinga1400 listyc1440 towardc1440 appliable1449 pronea1450 wilfulc1460 prompt?a1475 content1477 towardly1513 contenteda1525 towards1525 fond1529 comingc1576 unrefusinga1586 open-armed1594 voluntary1598 gainsome1629 easy1653 unreluctant1654 nothing loath1667 applicable1702 irreluctanta1706 unhesitating1753 unloath1861 prone-minded1869 c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 3486 For elchen vuele he wes fein. 1340–70 Alex. & Dind. 237 So it farus bi folk þat fain is to teche. a1605 A. Montgomerie Natur Passis Nuriture 34 To fang his friendship they war fane. 1805 R. Anderson Ballads in Cumberland Dial. 20 The..sleet and snaw are nought at aw, If yen were fain to gang! 1851 ‘L. Mariotti’ Italy in 1848 75 The gentle and respectful behaviour of the soldiery in what they were fain to look upon as a land of conquest. 1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 83 Vain for a man to think that he Can hide what a woman is fain to know! †b. Apt, wont. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > [adjective] > accustomed, used, or wont wontc888 haunteda1325 accustomed1429 consuetec1503 acquainted1572 frequent1575 occasioned1576 fain1596 wontlike1601 habited1605 habituate1606 wonted1611 practised1656 1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. viii. sig. H3^v Whose steadie hand was faine his steede to guyde. View more context for this quotation 1650 Bp. J. Taylor Rule & Exercises Holy Living i. §1. 7 To a busie man temptation is fain to climbe up together with his businesses. †4. Well-disposed, favourable. Const. of or dative. Also in fair and fain. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > wish or inclination > [adjective] > favourably bethoughta1250 fainc1275 agreeable1448 inclinablec1449 favourablec1460 inclined1561 hospitable1655 non-resistant1796 c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 6347 Lauerd king Aldroein ofte þe wurðe Godd fæin [c1300 Otho fain]. c1305 11,000 Virgins 134 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 69 Ourse of britaigne Þo hi fonde such a creatoure, so fair & so fayne. c1440 Sir Gowther 679 Fader, and Sone, and Holy Gost, Of owre sowles be fayne. 1861 D. G. Rossetti tr. Dante Vita Nuova in Early Ital. Poets ii. 275 I..saw Love coming towards me, fair and fain.] B. adv. Gladly, willingly, with pleasure. Frequent in I, he, etc. would (†had) fain; otherwise Obsolete or archaic. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [adverb] to goodeOE thankc888 yernec888 lieflyc900 lovelyeOE lustly971 willinglyOE wilfullyc1000 with (also mid) heart and hand (also hands)OE fainc1175 lustilya1225 lief1297 yfaȝea1300 blethelyc1300 goodlya1375 blelyc1380 willingc1384 bainc1400 acceptably1479 bainlya1500 cheerfully1523 towardly1523 desirously1531 pronely?1532 fainly1535 wilningly1597 bongre1598 libentiously1606 volently1614 propensely1648 easily1649 with (a) good grace1650 unreluctantly1655 with the best will (in the world)1814 unhesitatingly1829 unqualifyingly1841 unloathly1844 happily1889 α. c1175 Lamb. Hom. 35 Ic walde fein pinian and sitten on forste and on snawe. a1250 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Nero) (1952) 85 Vor uein wolde þe hexte cwemen ou. c1290 S. Eng. Leg. 272/53 I chulle þe telle fayn. c1440 York Myst. xx. 121 And if þou wolde neuere so fayne. 1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 430/3 The soppes of which he fayne ete. a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1959) ix. iv. 64 To bryng agane Eneas ful fane thai wald. 1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. cxxv. 151 The kyng..demaunded of them whyther they wolde faynest go. 1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. iv. sig. D^v A mirrhour..Wherein her face she often vewed fayne. a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) i. i. 63 I would faine dye a dry death. View more context for this quotation 1709 G. Berkeley Ess. New Theory of Vision §86. 98 I wou'd fain know wherein consists that Sharpness. 1801 R. Southey Thalaba II. x. 216 He full fain would sleep. 1858 J. M. Neale tr. Rhythm of Bernard de Morlaix 32 My spirit seeks thee fain. 1874 J. Morley On Compromise 67 Those who would fain divide the community into two great castes. 1876 W. Morris Story of Sigurd iii. 173 She..kisseth her sweet and fain. 1880 R. Broughton Second Thoughts II. ii. vii. 35 She had fainer not. β. c1330 King of Tars 1058 Ageyn the soudan he gan hyghe, And wolde hym sle ful fawe.c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 308 Þanne wolde þay wel faȝe ȝif þei miȝt helpe to þat sir Olyuer hadde be slaȝe. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online March 2022). † fainv.¹ Forms: Old English fægenian, fægnian, fahnian, Middle English faȝenien, Middle English faȝnien, fainen, ( fawe), Middle English–1500s fayne, (Middle English feyn), Middle English–1600s faine. See also fawn v.¹ Etymology: Old English fægnian , fægenian ( < fægen , fain n.) = Old Norse fagna, Old Saxon faganôn, faginôn, Old High German faginôn, feginôn, Gothic faginôn. Obsolete. 1. a. intransitive. To be delighted or glad, rejoice. Const. of (earlier genitive), on, in; with to and infinitive also, to desire, wish. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pleasure > joy, gladness, or delight > rejoicing or exultation > rejoice or exult [verb (intransitive)] fainc888 blissc897 gladc950 hightOE spilea1000 make mirthc1225 playc1225 gladdena1300 to make joyc1300 joisec1320 joya1325 rejoyc1350 enjoyc1380 to be joyeda1382 mirtha1400 gloryc1400 rejoicec1405 enjoysec1470 triumph1535 exult1593 to take joya1616 gratify1811 tripudiate1891 kvell1940 c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xxx. §1 Ne sceal he..to ungemetlice fægnian ðæs folces worda. a1000 Boeth. Metr. i. 66 Fægnodon ealle. c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Mark (Corpus Cambr.) xiv. 11 Þa hi þis gehyrdon hi fahnodon [c1160 Hatton G. fageneden]. c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 135 Fele shule faȝenien on his burde. a1240 Ureisun in Cott. Hom. 199 Ȝif þu wult hit iðauien iwis he wule ðurchut fawe. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 10900 Þa fainede swiðe folc an hirede. of Arðures cume. a1300 E.E. Psalter v. 12 And fayne sal alle þat hope in þe. a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xxxi. 14 Ffaynes in lord & glades rightwis. c1380 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. in Sel. Wks. I. 246 Clerkis shulde..feyn to be discharged of erþeli goodis. a1400–50 Alexander 1745 Feyne all with fairnes & fayne at þou may. c1450 Mirour Saluacioun 417 And thogh some tyme be gude the werld make man to fayne. 1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene v. xii. sig. Y8 [She] faynes to weaue false tales. View more context for this quotation b. To pretend kindness. Cf. fawn v.¹ ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > servile flattery or currying favour > flatter servilely or curry favour [verb (intransitive)] fain?c1225 fawnc1325 to make placebo1340 fagea1382 curryc1400 to curry favela1420 to claw (a person's) toea1500 to curry favour?1518 to be at the school of placebo1554 to play (with) placebo1583 insinuatea1593 wriggle1601 lick1602 sycophantize1605 gnathonize1619 pickthank1621 supparasitate1623 ingratiate1647 slaver1730 toad-eat1766 slaum1787 to eat (any one's) toads1788 toad1802 bootlick1846 toady1861 to suck in1899 smoodge1906 smarm1911 arse-lick1928 bum-suck1930 to suck round1931 ass-lick1937 brown-nose1939 suck-hole1961 weasel1980 ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 145 Hwenne ow ne wonteð nan þing þefaȝeneð wið ow. 2. transitive. To make glad. Hence to welcome (a person); also, to congratulate (const. of). ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pleasure > joy, gladness, or delight > quality of causing joy or delight > make joyful or delighted [verb (transitive)] blissa1000 faina1300 joy1303 delighta1382 rejoya1393 forblissa1400 gleea1400 rejoicec1425 blymc1440 delect1510 take?1553 gladden1558 oblectate1611 beglada1617 deliciate1633 delectate1647 to set (a person) cock-a-hoop1652 the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous act or expression > use courteous actions or expressions to [verb (transitive)] > welcome welcomec1000 faina1300 to make joyc1300 to bid welcomea1400 to bid, wish (a person) welcome (home)a1400 gratulate?1567 bewelcome1582 greet1608 to give (someone) the glad hand1895 glad-hand1895 the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > compliment > congratulation > congratulate (a person) [verb (transitive)] faina1300 joy1483 congratulate1548 gratulate1598 felicitate1638 compliment1718 to slap (someone) on the back1908 a1300 E.E. Psalter xlii[i]. 4 God þat faines mi youthede al. a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1441 Eliezer..brogt him a wif..He fagnede hire wið milde mod. c1390 (?c1350) Joseph of Arimathie (1871) l. 243 Þei..faynede me wiþ wordes, Bote þei hateden me. c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) 2 Fayn wold þai here Sum farand þing efter fode to fayn þere her[t]. c1500 Roberte Deuyll (1798) 10 Of hys companye no man us fayne [in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) I. 227 is fayne]. 3. To rejoice in, enjoy; also, to take to gladly, show preference for. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > love > liking or favourable regard > have liking for [verb (transitive)] > take a liking to fain1483 fancy1545 conceit1589 to take kindly to1733 to take to ——1748 to take a shine to1839 tumble1887 to cotton on to1907 the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > [verb (transitive)] > enter into enjoyment of > enjoy or revel in savoura1400 delighta1425 fain1483 to have, take felicity in or to1542 forage1593 batten1604 taste1605 to take out1609 to have a gust of1658 the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > choose in specific way [verb (transitive)] > choose in preference to others have1340 prefera1393 to have rather1478 fain1483 prelect1620 dextralize1651 antepone1656 savour1714 preference1904 1483 W. Caxton tr. Caton E viij I wyl not that ye..suppose that..synnars faynen [L. lucrari] theyr synnes wythout to haue..punycyon..in thys world or in the other. 1606 W. Warner Continuance Albions Eng. xvi. ci. 399 The sprewsest Citie-Lads for her would faine the Countrie-aire. Derivatives † ˈfaining adj. Obsolete gladsome, affectionate; also, longing, wistful. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > love > affection > [adjective] chisa700 lovewendeOE lovingOE lovelyOE kinda1375 fond1539 fainingc1540 affectionate1576 affectioned1578 affectiousc1580 affectionateda1586 affecting1600 dear1609 affective1613 affectional1689 attached1734 aff1752 warm1765 lovey1920 c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 12732 Clunestra..Resayuit hym..With a faynond fare. 1596 E. Spenser Hymne in Honour of Love 216 His heavens queene..in his fayning eye Whose sole aspect he counts felicitye. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online December 2021). fainv.² Brit. /feɪn/, U.S. /feɪn/ Etymology: Variant or alteration of fen v.² Chiefly School slang, originally regional. = fen v.² Used in the expression fains or fain(s I, fain it, fainit(e)s: see quots. ΚΠ 1870 Notes & Queries 4th Ser. VI. 415/2 ‘Fains’, or ‘Fain it’—A term demanding a ‘truce’ during the progress of any game, which is always granted by the opposing party. 1870 Notes & Queries 4th Ser. VI. 517/1 A boy who had ‘killed’ another at marbles, that is hit his marble, would call out ‘Fain it’, meaning ‘You mustn't shoot at me in return’; or if a boy was going to shoot, and some inequality of surface was in his way, which he would have cleared away, his antagonist would prevent him by calling out ‘Fain clears’. 1870 Notes & Queries 4th Ser. VI. 517/2 If a prefect wants anything fetched for him and does not say by whom, those who wish to get off going say ‘Fain I’. 1889 A. Barrère & C. G. Leland Dict. Slang Faints [sic], in vogue among schoolboys to express a wish temporarily to withdraw from participation in the particular sport or game being played. 1891 J. S. Farmer Slang II. 368/1 Fains! Fainits! Fain it! A call for truce. 1913 C. Mackenzie Sinister St. I. i. vii. 103 He could shout ‘fain I’ to be rid of an obligation and ‘bags I’ to secure an advantage. 1927 W. E. Collinson Contemp. Eng. 14 The custom of putting oneself out of the game altogether by crossing the fingers and saying pax! or faynights! [feinaits] or both together. 1948 J. Betjeman Sel. Poems 82 ‘I'd rather not.’ ‘Fains I.’ ‘It's up to you.’ 1960 Guardian 1 July 9/7 The Englishman..could remain absolutely pax and fainites. 1969 I. Opie & P. Opie Children's Games i. 18 This rule is so embedded in children's minds that their immediate response to the proposal of a game is to cry out..‘Me fains first’. 1969 I. Opie & P. Opie Children's Games i. 18 He must safeguard himself by saying in one gulp, ‘Let's-play-Tig-fains-I-be-on-it’. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1933; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < n.c1400adj.adv.c888v.¹c888v.²1870
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† fainn.

fainadj.adv.

† fainv.1

Derivatives

fainv.2

† fainv.¹

fainv.²