Dictionary

i' faith en · ADV

Meanings

1. (not-comparable, obsolete) In faith; indeed, truly.
   • 1682, Aphra Behn, Sir Patient Fancy, London: Richard Tonson & Jacob Tonson, Act II, Scene 1, pp. 23-24, […] if you lov’d Hawking, Drinking, and Whoring,—oh Lord, I mean Hunting, i’ faith there be good fellows wou’d keep you company Madam.
   • I’ faith, friend Blunt, that little harangue of yours has had a better effect, and done more good in five minutes, than all the m—l force of the kingdom could have effected in a week. 1768, George Saville Carey, Liberty Chastised, London, act III, scene 1:
   • Give me your answer; i’ faith, do: and so clap hands and a bargain: how say you, lady? 1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]: