Where does “fain” come from?
Fain comes from Middle English fain, derived from Proto-Indo-European dʰeyǵʰ-, which meant to form or shape, developing the sense of being pleased or willing.
fain (English): Well-pleased, glad; Satisfied, contented; Eager,...
Definitions
- Well-pleased, glad; Satisfied, contented; Eager,...
Ancestry of “fain”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Middle English | fain | joyful, happy; willing, eager; pleasing,... |
| 2 | Old English | fægen | joyful, rejoicing, fain |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | *fagan | — |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | faganaz | glad |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | peḱ- | to pluck; livestock; wealth |
Words derived from “fain”