Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1702-1924
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HERTSOME, adj. Also ha(i)rtsome, hertsum. Sc. forms and usages of heartsome, used only rarely or poet. in Eng.
1. That which rejoices the heart, encouraging, animating (Sc. 1808 Jam.); cheering (Mry.1 1925); attractive. Gen.Sc. Superl. heartsomest.Mry. 1873 J. Brown Round Table Club 34:
A' that, my gweed leddies, is baith hairtsome an' halesome.Sc. 1879 Stevenson Trav. Cevennes 191:
Overhead the heartsome stars were set in the face of the night.Kcb. 1899 Crockett Black Douglas i.:
The fairest and heartsomest spot in all the Scottish southland.Sc. 1914 R. B. C. Graham Sc. Stories 64:
The hills, ye ken, are sort o' heartsome.Lnk. 1919 G. Rae Clyde and Tweed 7:
Spellbund I heard a lintie's cheerie sang Yae hairtsome mornin' in the airly spring.m.Sc. 1924 O. Douglas Pink Sugar v.:
The Laird yesterday, and Mr Crawford the day! It's hertsome, and Miss Kirsty's a braw lass.
2. Of a meal, satisfying, substantial, hearty (Kcb., Dmf. 1957).Edb. 1773 Fergusson Poems (1925) 38:
A heartsome meltith, and refreshing synd O' nappy liquor, o'er a bleezing fire.Kcb. 1894 Crockett Raiders xlvi.:
Heartsome be his meal o' meat, puir falla'!
3. Merry, cheerful, lively (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.; Sh., ne.Sc., Dmf. 1957). Also used adv.Peb. 1702 C. B. Gunn Linton Church (1912) 82:
She heard Isobel call Mr Robert, "Heartsome Joe."Sc. 1728 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) II. 288:
Be heartsome and airy, and hope to succeed With a bonny gay Widow, my Laddie.Abd. p.1768 A. Ross Fort. Shepherd MS. 120:
A heartsome Lad, that sang and play'd fu' well, And true and trusty like the beaten steel.Edb. 1773 Fergusson Poems (1925) 88:
Like thee, by fancy wing'd, the Muse Scuds ear' and heartsome o'er the dews.Sc. 1815 Scott Guy M. xi.:
He was a heartsome pleasant man, and company for the best gentlemen in the county, and muckle mirth he's made in this house.Dmf. 1830 R. Brown Mem. Curl. Mab. 88:
Oh! for a cheery heartsome game To send through a' the soul a flame.Ags. 1860 A. Whamond James Tacket 263:
He was sae heartsome an' cracky wi' grannie, that the decrepit auld body grew quite lively.Fif. 1897 S. Tytler Lady Jean's Son vi.:
Witty enough to take her place, when she desired the distinction, in "the heartsome set."Lnk. 1919 G. Rae Clyde and Tweed 9:
Dod, but the hairsts were hairtsome then, In the years round saxty-seeven.Abd. 1924 M. Angus Tinker's Road 39:
Come play me "Whaur Gowdie rins," my son, Or a reel with a heartsome tune.
4. Derivs.: heartsomely, adv., cheerfully, heartily (Sh. 1957); with good heart; heartsomeness, cheerfulness (Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.; Sh. 1957).Fif. 1704 P.S.A.S. LVI. 54:
She looked and spoke as heartsomely as ever she saw her, and seemed no way disordered.Per. 1766 A. Nicol Poems 38:
I might . . . heartsomely my penny free Spend frankly with good company.Dmf. 1831 Carlyle in Froude Life (1882) II. 184:
I can sit down with a clear conscience, and talk heartily and heartsomely.Kcb. 1798 Crockett Standard Bearer xii.:
I am as heartsomely glad to see ye eat it as of a sunny morn in haytime.
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"Hertsome adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/hertsome>
