i' faith

See also: ifaith

English

Adverb

i' faith (not comparable)

1. (obsolete) In faith; indeed, truly.
   • 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]:

     Give me your answer; i’ faith, do: and so clap hands and a bargain: how say you, lady?

   • 1682, Aphra Behn, Sir Patient Fancy, London: Richard Tonson & Jacob Tonson, Act II, Scene 1, pp. 23-24,^[1]

     […] 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.

   • 1768, George Saville Carey, Liberty Chastised‎^[2], London, act III, scene 1:

     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.