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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

(Unhalesum,) Unha(i)lsum, adj. Also: unhelsum, -whol(e)some. [ME and e.m.E. unnhalsumm (Orm), vnhalesom (a1400-50); Hal(e)sum adj.]

1. Unwholesome; unsalubrious; unhealthy.(a) 1557–8 Edinb. B. Rec. III 18.
The corrupt and vnhalsum air cumand thairthrow [sc. from melting of tallow](b) 14.. Acts I 337/2.
That thai mak it [sc. malt] on ane evill flure throw the quhilk it is maid spewill and vnhailsum(c) a1500 Henr. Fab. 1493 (Bann.).
Vnhelsum [H. Vnhailsum, Ch. Unhailsum, 1621 Unhealthsome] meit is of a sary mous And namely till a noble strang lyoun 1540 Lynd. Sat. 4156 (B).
Frome tyme that he hes fild his belly With this vnhelsum [Ch. vnhelthsum] haill [= ale] 1578 Conv. Burghs I 64.
Sum of the nation wald think to conceave unhelsum air of the saltpannis(d) 1682 Livingstone Patronus Redux 52 n.
The marish ground doth exhale many vapours, which rendreth the air more thick and unwholesome

2. a. Unattractive, unprepossessing. b. Sickly.a. a1500 Henr. Fab. 2840.
Thocht I [sc. the paddock] vnhailsum [Bann. vnlusty, 1621 vnhelthsome] be to luke vpon I haue na wytb. c1649 Haddington Corr. 113.
She was looked vpon as a tender, vnwholsome childe