GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Fain , a. [OE. fain, fagen, AS. fægen; akin to OS. fagan, Icel. faginn glad; AS. fægnian to rejoice, OS. faganōn, Icel. fagna, Goth. faginōn, cf. Goth. fahēds joy; and fr. the same root as E. fair. Srr Fair, a., and cf. Fawn to court favor.]
    Well-pleased; glad; apt; wont; fond; inclined.
   1913 Webster
   Men and birds are fain of climbing high.
   Shak.
   
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   To a busy man, temptation is fainto climb up together with his business.
   Jer. Taylor.
   
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   Satisfied; contented; also, constrained.
   Shak.
   
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   The learned Castalio was fain to make trechers at Basle to keep himself from starving.
   Locke.
   
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2.       
   Fain, adv. With joy; gladly; -- with wold.
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   He would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat.
   Luke xv. 16.
   
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   Fain Would I woo her, yet I dare not.
   Shak.
   
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3.       
   Fain, v. t. & i. To be glad ; to wish or desire. [Obs.]
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   Whoso fair thing does fain to see.
   Spencer.
   
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