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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.

WINSOME, adj. Also winsom, wunsome, wainsome (Ayr. 1869 J. Stirrat Poems 92), ¶waynesome (Sc. 1857 H. S. Riddell Psalms lxxxvi. 5). Of persons: pleasing or attractive in appearance, manner or nature, charming, comely, gay, engaging (Sc. 1787 J. Elphinston Propriety II. 200, 1808 Jam.; Per., Fif., Lth., Ayr. 1915–26 Wilson), occas. also of things. Now adopted in St. Eng. Adv. winsomely, in an attractive manner, n. winsomeness, pleasantness in manner, attractiveness (Sc. 1825 Jam.).Sc. 1726 Ramsay T.-T. Misc. (1876) I. 235:
Busk ye, busk ye, my bonny bonny bride, Busk ye, busk ye, my winsome marrow.Edb. 1773 Fergusson Poems (S.T.S.) II. 183:
Regents, my winsome billy boys!Sc. 1784 Jock o the Side in Child Ballads No. 187 B. xxv.:
O Jock, sae winsomely's ye ride, Wi baith your feet upo ae side.Ayr. 1792 Burns My Wife's a Winsome i.:
She is a winsome wee thing.Dmf. 1805 Scots Mag. (Sept.) 700:
Wi' gracefu' blush the lassie smil'd, An' out her wunsom' pipe she drew.Sc. 1816 Scott O. Mortality vii.:
O wow! my winsome bairn, Cuddie.Sc. 1842 D. Vedder Poems 142:
A willy waught o' this winsome ware.Abd. 1884 D. Grant Lays 67:
Sic a bonnie winsome little'n.Sh. 1900 Shetland News (1 Dec.):
Shü might be winsome, bit Güd follow me as shu's no bonnie.Rxb. 1921 Kelso Chronicle (25 Nov.) 3:
One decent body said I was a rale nice dog to bring home such a winsome fish when meat was that dear.