Dictionary

heartsome en · ADJ

Etymology

From heart + -some.

Meanings

1. (archaic, dialectal, poetic) merry, cheery, pleasant, delightful, attractive.
   • There thrust the bold straightforward horn To battle for that lady lorn; With heartsome voice of mellow scorn, Like any knight in knighthood's morn. 1875, Various, Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Vol. 15,:
   • The oak rose before me like a pillar of darkness; and overhead the heartsome stars were set in the face of the night. 1907, Robert Louis Stevenson, Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes:
   • A rainbow is a heartsome thing, for it reminds us of a promise made long ago, and faithfully kept. 1917, Nellie L. McClung, The Next of Kin:
   • The delight, Due to this timely notice, unawares Smote me, and, listening, I in whispers said, "Ye heartsome Choristers, ye and I will be Associates, and, unscared by blustering winds, 30 Will chant together." 1896, William Wordsworth, The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth, Vol. III:
   • Methought an heav'nly heartsome thing Where dew like diamonds did hing, 1597, Alexander Montgomery, The Cherrie and the Slae:
   • It was a great hour for him as he wheeled the barrow homeward, Elspeth once more by his side; but he could say nothing heartsome in Tommy's presence, and Tommy was as uncomfortable in his. 1912, J.M. Barrie, Tommy and Grizel:

Forms

Deriveds

heartsomeness · unheartsome · heartsomely