3 entries under this word

Lief

Lief, a.

adjective

(leef), a. [Written also leef.] [O. Eng. lefe, leve, A-S: leóf, líóf, O. Sax. liôf, lief, O. Fries. liâf, lief, D. lief, Icel. liûfr, Sw. ljuf, Goth. liubs, O. H. Ger. liup, liub, liob, M. H. Ger. liep, N. H. Ger. lieb. See LOVE.] Dear; beloved. [Obs., except in poetry.] [Written also leef, leve, and lieve.] “As thou art lief and dear to me.” Tennyson.

Lief, n.

noun

(leef), n. [See supra.] One who is dear or beloved. [Obs.]

Liēf, adv.

adverb

(leef), adv. [See supra.] Gladly; willingly; freely;—used in familiar speech in the phrase, I had as lief go as not.

☞ Had, in this phrase, is probably a corruption of would.

He up arose, however lief or loth. Spenser.