fain

Definitions


[feɪn], (Adjective)

Definitions:
- pleased or willing under the circumstances
(e.g: the traveller was fain to proceed)

- compelled by the circumstances; obliged
(e.g: he was fain to acknowledge that the agreement was sacrosanct)


Phrases:

Origin:
Old English fægen ‘happy, well pleased’, of Germanic origin, from a base meaning ‘rejoice’; related to fawn


[feɪn], (Adverb)

Definitions:
- gladly
(e.g: I am weary and would fain get a little rest)


Phrases:

Origin:
Old English fægen ‘happy, well pleased’, of Germanic origin, from a base meaning ‘rejoice’; related to fawn




definition by Oxford Dictionaries