lief

views updated

lief †adj. beloved, dear. OE. lēof = OS. liob (Du. lief), OHG. liub (G. lieb), ON. ljúfr, Goth. liufs (liub-) :- Gmc. *leubaz :- IE. *leubhos (whence OSl. ljubŭ); see also LOVE. As adv. (compared liever, lievest) dearly, gladly. XIII.

More From encyclopedia.com