Synonyms for fain


Grammar : Adj
Spell : feyn
Phonetic Transcription : feɪn


Définition of fain

Origin :
  • Old English fægen, fagen "glad, cheerful, happy, joyful, rejoicing," from a common Germanic root (cf. Old Saxon fagan, Old Norse feginn "glad," Old High German faginon, Gothic faginon "to rejoice"), perhaps from PIE *pek- "to make pretty." As an adverb, from c.1200.
  • adj willing
Example sentences :
  • It was only as he exclaimed, “Good aunt, I am fain to see thee here!”
  • Extract from : « The Armourer's Prentices » by Charlotte M. Yonge
  • A burst of Homeric laughter was Sir William's reply--laughter in which all were fain to join.
  • Extract from : « In the Valley » by Harold Frederic
  • The mate admired at a mood so novel for his commander, but he was fain to submit.
  • Extract from : « Homeward Bound » by James Fenimore Cooper
  • Bowed then to bench those bearers-of-glory, fain of the feasting.
  • Extract from : « Beowulf » by Anonymous
  • But, no thanks unto him, the Bible he was fain to leave unmeddled with.
  • Extract from : « Selections from the Table Talk of Martin Luther » by Martin Luther
  • Me therein, an innocent man, the fiendish foe was fain to thrust with many another.
  • Extract from : « Beowulf » by Anonymous
  • He said I must sing—it was part of my studies, and I was fain to bend to his will.
  • Extract from : « The First Violin » by Jessie Fothergill
  • One thing we fain would emphasise, before we conclude our account.
  • Extract from : « The Book of Khalid » by Ameen Rihani
  • She kissed him again, fain to dispel the shadow that darkened his face.
  • Extract from : « Sir Henry Morgan, Buccaneer » by Cyrus Townsend Brady
  • Neither were to be had, and he was fain to put up with a wafer.
  • Extract from : « One Of Them » by Charles James Lever

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019