A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1548-1655
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Handsum, -sume, a. Also: hantsum. [e.m.E. and ME. handsum, -som (c 1435).] Easy to handle, handy; convenient, suitable; fitting; handsome in appearance. — 1548–9 Corr. M. Lorraine 294.
Bryng handsume wapons with your men and na pykkis 1562-3 Winȝet II. 6/10.
A litle, partie, handsum instrument that may suffice ws … bayth for a waippin and a werklume — 1562 Kennedy Ressoning vii b.
It wilbe mair handsum and easie for me … as gif it war in oppen audience 1655 Annandale Corr. 306.
If yow make ane handsume aidres to the judgis — 1590 Burel Pilgr. i. xvi.
Sick beists … Sum … hantsum to behald 1616 Irvine Mun. II. 49.
Sume decent and handsume comlie sort of habeit, aperrell, and heid attyre for the wemen
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"Handsum adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/handsum>
