fain

fain  (fn)

adv.

1. Happily; gladly: "I would fain improve every opportunity to wonder and worship, as a sunflower welcomes the light" (Henry David Thoreau).

2. Archaic Preferably; rather.

adj. Archaic

1. Ready; willing.

2. Pleased; happy.

3. Obliged or required.

---

[Middle English, from Old English fægen, joyful, glad.]

---

fain [feɪn]

adv

(usually with would) Archaic willingly; gladly she would fain be dead

adj

Obsolete

a.  willing or eager

b.  compelled

[Old English fægen; related to Old Norse fegiun happy, Old High German gifehan to be glad, Gothic fahehs joy; see fawn²]

Thesaurus

Adj.	1.	fain - having made preparations; "prepared to take risks" disposed, prepared, inclined willing - disposed or inclined toward; "a willing participant"; "willing helpers"
Adv.	1.	fain - in a willing manner; "this was gladly agreed to"; "I would fain do it" gladly, lief

Translations

fain (archaic) [feɪn] ADV (used only with "would") → de buena gana

fain

adv (obs) I would fain … → ich möchte …