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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.

Trubilsum, Troublesom(e, adj. Also: trubilsome, trubelsum, trublesum(e, trubbilsum, trubulsom, trublussum, troubilsum, -some, troublussum, trowbilsum, troblsum, (trubsom). [e.m.E. troblesome (a1548), troublesome (1552).]

1. Of times, places, states of affairs, etc.: Characterised by trouble; disturbed, unsettled.(a) 1546 Perth Guildry 235 (24 Sept.).
In walking and warding nycht and day in the trublussum tymes bigain 1578–9 Reg. Privy C. III 82.
Upoun that Marche quhilk hes bene evir the maist trubilsome part of the realme 1584 Laing MSS 42.
At the west bordour being sumquhat indeid mair trublesum a day of meting is appoynted 1622-6 Bisset II 174/25.
The lang and trubilsum warris(b) 1574 Conv. Burghs I 26.
Efter lang resonyng vpoun the troubilsum estait presentlie in Flanderis 1580 Inverness Rec. I 287.
Troublussum 1582 Crawford Mun. Invent. II 179 (28 Sept.).
Consider quhow troublesom is the warld 1594 Charteris Wall. Pref. 163.
We will speik sum thing of the miserabill and troubilsum dayis quhairin he did arise 1690 Boharm Kirk S. 13 April.
Delinquents referred by reason of the troublesome times(c) 1607 Inverurie 192.
During this trubsom tym of the plaig

2. Of a person (once, an animal): That causes trouble or annoyance to others; badly-behaved, disorderly; disobedient. 1584 Kirkcaldy B. Rec. 90.
In cais he be fund ane regraiter or yit ane troblsum persoun & sklanderer … that he sall be baneist the toun 1599 St. A. Kirk S. 890.
If thai be fund in the lyik fault … or trubilsum to thair neychtbouris, that thai salbe punished 1600 Melvill 542.
Andro Melvill … being callit to the king … and demandit, Quhy he wes so trublesume as to come to the Assemblie, being dischairgit 1618 Glasgow Trades House 82.
They fand that thai baithe miscallit vthers and war trubilsum persounes to the craft c1650 Spalding II 3.
Both Abirdeines wes blyth to be quyte of him, being troublesom out of drink 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 39.
Not knowing whow to be red of this trubulsom beast no man daring attempt to kill it

b. In weakened sense, as polite hyperbole. 1602 Lett. Jas. VI to Eliz. 152.
Praying you hairtelie to excuse my being thus trubbilsum unto you

3. That is a source of trouble; burdensome, inconvenient. 1579 Conv. Burghs I 78.
That the prouest [etc.] … of Edinburgh write effectuouslie to the toun of Campheir anent the demolischeing of the salt pannis thairof sa far as thai ar troubilsome 1579–80 Conv. Burghs I 100.
Trowbilsum 1587–8 Aberd. Council Lett. I 11.
That the haill indwellaris … sall without ligis bandis or uther trubilsum comoscionis leif under protectioun of His Majesties obedience to the magistratis and hedismen of the burgh 1588 Conv. Burghs I 287.
He was passand to the northland, and itt wald be trubilsum to him to cary the said sovme with him 1596 Dalr. I 120/3.
Gif ony cummirsum or trubilsum cause fal out … quhateuir is thocht necessar … is citet out of the Romane lawis 1600 Conv. Burghs II 71.
Becaus it war trubelsum to the haill commissioneris presentlie conwenit to remyne thairupoun [sc. the King's answer] 1606 Reg. Privy C. VII 716.
Sendle it fallis furth that sic far imploymentis ar thocht worthy greate recompense, how troublesome so ever the service be

4. absol. as noun. (One who is) troubled, unhappy. 1596 Dalr. I 289/1.
For the cleir cloudis to the dulfull was pleisant and to the trublesum happie [L. calamitosis fausta]

5. That involves taking trouble, making an effort; laborious, wearisome. 1632 Lithgow Trav. vi 253.
Leauing our troublesome way