(Sax. leof, past part. of luftan to love.) Willingly; gladly.--Johnson. This word was formerly in good repute, and was used by well-known writers. It is now a common word, but only used in familiar speech, either in England or America.
And swere that he would lodge with them yfere,
Or them dislodge, all were they lief or loth.--Spenser, Fairy Queen.
I would as lief the town crier spoke my lines.--Shakspeare, Hamlet.
She, good soul, had as lief see a toad, a very toad, as see him.--Ibid. Romeo and Juliet, II. 5.