lief

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Adjective 1.4 Adverb 1.5 Quotations 1.6 Anagrams 2 Dutch 2.1 Pronunciation 2.2 Adjective 2.3 Noun 2.4 See also 3 German 3.1 Pronunciation 3.2 Verb

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Old English lēof, from Germanic *leubo-, whence Gothic 𐌻𐌹𐌿𐌱𐍃 (liubs). Cognate with Dutch lief, German lieb, Russian любовь (ljubóv’), Swedish and Norwegian Nynorsk ljuv.

Adverb: Cf. German lieber, Dutch liever, preferably, rather

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /li:f/

[edit] Adjective

lief (comparative liefer, superlative liefest)

1. (archaic) beloved, dear, agreeable
2. (archaic) willing

[edit] Adverb

lief (comparative liefer, superlative liefest)

1. (archaic) 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 [...].

[edit] Quotations

• For examples of the usage of this term see the citations page.

[edit] Anagrams

• Anagrams of efil
• file
• life, Life

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[edit] Dutch

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: [lif]

[edit] Adjective

lief, lieve (comparative liever, lievere; superlative liefst, liefste)

1. nice, sweet

[edit] Noun

lief (plural lieven, diminutive liefje, diminutive plural liefjes)

1. one's beloved in a romantic relationship, i.e. a boyfriend or girlfriend

[edit] See also

• liever

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[edit] German

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: [liːf]

[edit] Verb

lief

1. Past of laufen ‘to walk’