Chiefly Sc. and north. dial. [f. FAIN a. + -NESS.] The quality or state of being fain; eagerness, gladness.
a. 1300. Cursor Mundi, 3851 (Cott.).
| Laban for fainnes did him call | |
| For his neueu his frendes all. |
c. 1340. Hampole, Psalter, iv. 7. Þou has gifen faynes in my hert.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot., II. 80.
| Baith ȝoung and ald richt sone tha left the land, | |
| And left all waist for fanenes for to flie. |
1571. G. Buchanan, Admonitioun to the Trew Lordis, Wks. (1892), 30. Causit ye rest of ye hamiltonis to fon for faynnes.
1830. Galt, Lawrie Todd, V. viii. (1849), 228. The vexatious bailie rubbed his hands with fidgety fainness, and gave a sort of keckling laugh, as if in triumph for the victory he had gained over me.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., I. v. ix. Foulon (in his fainness, as his Destiny would have it) also claps.
