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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.

Ugsum, adj. Also: ugsume, -some, wgsum, ougsum. [Late ME and e.m.E. vgsome, ugsom (both c1400), ougsome (1566).] That inspires fear, loathing, dread or disgust; loathsome, repugnant, odious; fearsome, dreadful. Cf. Ugly adj.(a) c1420 Wynt. vi 1025.
He herd abowt hym wgsum [C. vgwise] dyn, As mony dewillys had bene thare in c1420 Wynt. viii 2589.
Lordis off fe and herytage That had na thyng mare wgsum [C., W. vgsum] Than for to lyve in till thryldwm c1420 Wynt. ii 1015 (see Ugly adj. 1 (a)).
Wgsum a1500 Seven S. 2619.
Sa vgsum we think thair cry, That of my lyf disparit am I c1500 Rowll Cursing 233 (M).
Thair forme and thair feyndlie fassoun, Thair vgsum horribiliteis 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 309.
The stichling of a mous out of presence Had bene to me mair vgsum than the Hell c1500-c1512 Dunb. 118/20 (B) (see Ugly adj. 1 (a)).
Vgsum 1513 Doug. iii iii 89 (Sm.).
The streme apperis wgsum of the dym sky [L. inhorruit unda tenebris] 1513 Doug. iii iv 37 (see Ugly adj. 2 (a)). 1533 Bell. Livy II 205/27.
The Gaulis … fillit al the cuntre with thare vgsum sound & cryis 1551 Acts II 485/1.
The greuous … blasphematioun of the name of God sweirand in vane be his precious blude [etc.] … deuill stick cummer gor roist or ryfe thame and sic vthers vgsume aithis 1560 Rolland Seven S. 5895.
His vgsum foull visage 1560 Rolland Seven S. 7919.
This vgsum vilanie 1567 Sat. P. iii 135.
Remember on the vgsum latter day, Quhen ȝe rewaird sall ressaif for ȝoure blame 1566-70 Buch. Comm. on Virgil Æn. vi 438.
Palus inamabilis, ingrata (ugsome)(b) c1450-2 Howlat 104 (B).
Quhy I am formit sa foull … As ane horrible oule ougsum owir all