heartsome

English

Alternative forms

• hartsome, hertsome (dialectal)

Etymology

From heart +‎ -some.

Adjective

heartsome (comparative more heartsome, superlative most heartsome)

1. (archaic, poetic or dialectal) merry, cheery, pleasant, delightful, attractive.
   • 1875, Various, Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Vol. 15,‎^[1]:

     There thrust the bold straightforward horn To battle for that lady lorn; With heartsome voice of mellow scorn, Like any knight in knighthood's morn.

   • 1896, William Wordsworth, The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth, Vol. III‎^[2]:

     The delight, Due to this timely notice, unawares Smote me, and, listening, I in whispers said, "Ye heartsome Choristers, ye and I will be Associates, and, unscared by blustering winds, 30 Will chant together."

   • 1907, Robert Louis Stevenson, Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes‎^[3]:

     The oak rose before me like a pillar of darkness; and overhead the heartsome stars were set in the face of the night.

   • 1912, J.M. Barrie, Tommy and Grizel‎^[4]:

     It was a great hour for him as he wheeled the barrow homeward, Elspeth once more by his side; but he could say nothing heartsome in Tommy's presence, and Tommy was as uncomfortable in his.

   • 1917, Nellie L. McClung, The Next of Kin‎^[5]:

     A rainbow is a heartsome thing, for it reminds us of a promise made long ago, and faithfully kept.

Derived terms

• heartsomely
• heartsomeness

Anagrams

• horsemeat, samothere