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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

WILSOME, adj. Also wilsum, willsome, wul(l)some, wildsome. [′wɪlsʌm, ′wʌl-. See P.L.D. § 76.1.]

1. Of a way or path: leading through wild or featureless country, confusing, bewildering; of a place: desolate, wild, dreary (Sh., Ork. 1974). Freq. in ballads and in Mid.Eng. poetry.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 46:
Hamewith thro' many a wilsome height and how.Sc. 1806 R. Jamieson Pop. Ballads I. 244:
He blew, till a' the wullsome waste Rebellowin' echoed round.Sc. 1828 Bonny Baby Livingston in Child Ballads No. 222 B. iii.:
So they rade over hills and dales, Through mony a wilsome way.Abd. 1845 G. Murray Islaford 120:
Wulsome muirs and roads, beside, That some might travel — nane could ride.m.Lth. 1864 A. Johnston Lays of Edina 92:
Those steep wildsome hills we so pleasantly rove.Bnff. 1893 W. Gregor Dunbar's Wks. (S.T.S.) III. 362:
Its usual use in Banffshire is, causing to go astray, — often applied to a dark hazy night, as, “It's a wilsome kin' o' a nicht;” or to a road, as, “I maist 'a never got here, the rod's sae wilsome.”Abd. 1932 R. L. Cassie Scots Songs 25:
A wullsome wyde, fu' sair tae byde, Throwe gullie-wullie moss.Sh. 1965 New Shetlander No. 74. 30:
A man apon a wilsome hill.

2. Of persons: lost, wandering; bewildered (Sc. 1808 Jam., wilsum), forlorn.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 26:
Breathless and feckless, there she sits her down, An' will an' willsome looked her around.