† i'ˈfegs, int. Obs. exc. dial.
Forms: (with or without apostrophe) 7 i'fac(k, i'feck, i'fex, 7–8 i'-, y'facks, i'-, y'-, efackins, 8 i-, efags, efacks, i-, efecks, efeclings, ifackins, 9 i'fakins.
[Perversions of i' faith, in faith: see fegs and i'fads.]
Used, esp. by 17th and 18th c. dramatists, as a trivial oath amounting to a simple asseveration: In faith, by my faith.
| 1610 B. Jonson Alch. i. ii, Dap. I-fac, I doe not. You are mistaken. Fac. How! sweare by your fac?.. Dap. I'fac's no oath. a 1625 Fletcher Nice Valour iv. Wks. (Rtldg.) II. 467/1 I'fex have they. 1673 Wycherley Gentlem. Dancing-Master ii. ii, Mrs. Caut. Y'facks, but you shan't. I'll ask him... Don. Y'fackins, but you shan't ask him! 1709 Steele Tatler No. 137 ¶2 He..will tell you, That I'fackins, such a Thing is true. 1742 Fielding J. Andrews i. xiv, Ifags! the gentleman has caught a traitor. Ibid. ii. xiv, Ifacks, a good story. 1775 Sheridan Duenna iii. vi, Efecks, Father, I should have guessed as much. 1785 Hutton Bran New Wark 16 Good friends, these er sad duings, efeclings. 1825 Brockett, I'fakins, in faith—a frequent asseveration. |
b. In earnest.
| 1687 Congreve Old Bach. iv. iv, Nay, dear Cocky, don't cry, I was but in jest, I was not ifeck. |