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Meanings of lief in English

In a willing manner.

Usage of lief in English
1
I'd as lief kiss the marble lips of Diana in the park.
The Black Wolf's Breed / A Story of France in the Old World and ...
2
I would as lief go to Bible-class every day of the week.
If Only etc.
3
I had as lief have the castle drawbridge drop upon my pate.
The White Company
4
As for me, I would as lief remain and fight it out.
Happy Jack, and Other Tales of the Sea
5
I'd just as lief fight a Maise as a Grey any day.
Pearl and Periwinkle
6
I'd as lief read figgers on a tow-boat as to read poetry.
Mr. Opp
7
Why, I'd as lief hear that Satan himself was abroad duffing cattle.
The Story of the Foss River Ranch: A Tale of the Northwest
8
They'd as lief tell a lie as look at you, over there.
Springhaven: A Tale of the Great War
9
I'm inclined to think Glen Naspa would as lief go as stay.
The Rainbow Trail
10
They'd jest as lief shoot a feller they didn't like as not.
Ruth Fielding in the Great Northwest; Or, The Indian Girl Star o...
11
I would as lief be kind to a toad! put in Lucy.
A Reputed Changeling; Or, Three Seventh Years Two Centuries Ago
12
Maybe it'll come right, and you'll get all as you'd lief have.'
Gone to Earth
13
I'd as lief spend a vacation in the middle of the Sahara Desert.
The Four-Pools Mystery
14
Master Jesus, I'd as lief wait; the hills will be naught without thee.
The Brook Kerith: A Syrian story
15
I'd as lief had a monkey screwing and twisting about in my lap.
Home Scenes and Home Influence; a series of tales and sketches
16
I had as lief be called Cadet-Cassis as Mes-Bottes, any time.
L'Assommoir
About this term
Lief through the time
Lief across language varieties
United Kingdom
Common