fainnessn.
/ˈfeɪnnəs/, U.S. /ˈfeɪ(n)nəs/, Scottish English /ˈfennəs/ Chiefly Scottish and northern dialect.
The quality or state of being fain; eagerness, gladness.
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
the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [noun] > eagerness
yernfulnesseOE
yevernesseOE
fainnessc1340
eagerness1486
edge1600
spleena1616
anxiousness1736
c1340 R. Rolle Psalter iv. 7 Þou has gifen faynes in my hert.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3851 Laban for fainnes did him call..his frendes all.
1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) II. 80 Tha..left all waist for fanenes for to flie.
1571 G. Buchanan Admonitioun Trew Lordis sig. B.2v The Duikis Sone..causit ye rest of the Hammiltounis to fon for fainnes.
1830 J. Galt Lawrie Todd II. v. viii. 187 The..Bailie rubbed his hands with fidgety fainness.
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. I. v. ix. 288 Foulon (in his fainness)..also claps.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.c1340