adj.
Pronunciation: ' f ā n
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English fagen, fayn, from Old English fægen; akin to Old English gef ē on to rejoice, Old High German gifehan, Old Norse feginn happy
Date: before 12th century
1 archaic : HAPPY , PLEASED
2 archaic : INCLINED , DESIROUS
3 a : WILLING <he was very fain , for the young widow was “ altogether fair and lovely ⋯ ” ― Amy Kelly> b : being obliged or constrained : COMPELLED <Great Britain was fain to devote its whole energy ⋯ to the business of slaying and being slain ― G. M. Trevelyan>