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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

‡FORDERSOME, adj. Also furdersome; forthersome, -sum, fordersum (Jam.); fordther- (Uls.). ‡1. Rash, impetuous; “having a forward manner” (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.).Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 4–5:
If ye oe'r forthersome, turn tapsie turvy Blame your ain haste, an' say not that I spur ye.Ib. 89:
The ither too was a right setting lass, But forthersome, but calm yon tither was.Abd. 1824 G. Smith Douglas 57:
Sae fordersome a chiel I've seldom seen; Naething wi' him but draw the sword an' rin.em.Sc. (a) 1896 “I. Maclaren” Kate Carnegie 118:
Ye'll gie him a hint, Burnbrae, for he's young and fordersome.

2. Active, not slack or dilatory, pushing (Cai. 1900 E.D.D.; ‡Abd.²⁷ 1953).Sc. 1737 Ramsay Proverbs (1750) 103:
They are eith hindered that are not very furdersome.n.Sc. 1808 Jam.:
Forthersome wi' wark.Fif. 1894 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin i.:
A curn o' the mair fordersome billies amang them laid their heads thegither, an' set aff ae bonnie day in purshoot o' a wider an' fatter inheritance.

3. Of weather: propitious, favourable for work (Uls. 1892 Ballymena Obs. (E.D.D.), fordthersome; Uls.⁴ 1953); of work: easily and expeditiously done, smooth-going (Kcb.⁴ c.1900).Bnff. 1900 E.D.D.:
It's fine fordersum hairst weather, it'll seen win the stooks.