fain (adv.) Copy link • fain (adv.): i. e. gladly (q. v.): chiefly used in hypothetical sentences, implying that the thing wished for is not obtained: best expr. by a verb, as, I would f. you had leant to the Stoics, vellem tu ad Stoicos inclinavisses., Cic.: so the Ithacan would f. have it, hoc Ithacus velit, Virg.: I would f. it had not been done, nollem factum, Ter.: I would f. die, cupio mori, Ter.: I would f. hear, in faith! studeo, hercle, audire! Pl.: v. to wish.
FAIN Copy link • FAIN 1. adj., Anybody was fain to do anything, fecit aliquis animo lubentissimo, ut, etc. (Cic.; if the notion of glad consent is prominent); coactus est aliquid facere (if the notion of compulsion is prominent); non recusavit aliquid facere, or non modo non recusavit aliquid facere, sed etiam libenter, etc.: facile pati (with accusative and infinitive). 2. adverb, libenter (or lubenter); animo libenti or libenti proclivoque; non invito animo [Vid: GLADLY]. Often by circumlocution with velle, or by nominative, lubens, volens, non invitus. I would fain, velim, vellem (the present expressing rather an inner necessity, urgency; the imperfect referring more to a condition; if this were but possible).