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  failure fainéant  
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   The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition.  2000.
 
fain
 
PRONUNCIATION:  fn
ADVERB:1. Happily; gladly: “I would fain improve every opportunity to wonder and worship, as a sunflower welcomes the light” (Henry David Thoreau). 2. Archaic Preferably; rather.
ADJECTIVE: Archaic 1. Ready; willing. 2. Pleased; happy. 3. Obliged or required.
ETYMOLOGY:Middle English, from Old English fægen, joyful, glad.
 
 
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

CONTENTS · INDEX · ILLUSTRATIONS · BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD
  failure fainéant  
 
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