Lief
WordNet
adverb
(1) In a willing manner
"This was gladly agreed to"
"I would fain do it"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
Old English lēof, from Germanic *leubo-, whence Gothic . Cognate with Dutch lief, German lieb, Swedish and Norwegian Nynorsk ljuv.
Adverb: Cf. German lieber, Dutch liever, preferably, rather
Adjective
- beloved, dear, agreeable
- willing
Adverb
- Readily, willingly.
- 1869, RD Blackmoore, Lorna Doone, II:
- these great masters of the art, who would far liefer see us little ones practice it, than themselves engage [...].
- 1869, RD Blackmoore, Lorna Doone, II:
Noun
- one's beloved in a romantic relationship, i.e. a boyfriend or girlfriend