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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.

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.