Obs. exc. dial. [? orig. a use of WILSOME a.1, later associated with WILL sb.1 There appears to be no connection with OE. wilsum, wilsumlic ‘desiderabilis,’ ‘voluntarius,’ ‘devotus,’ wilsumlíce ‘sponte,’ ‘voluntarie.’] Wilful, obstinate, stubborn.
13[?]. Cursor M., 9633 (Gött.). It was his aun wilsum [Cott. wilful] sinne, Þat did vs all fra him to tuynne.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 528/2. Wylsome, or folwynge only hys owne wylle, effrenus.
1590. Cobler Canterb., 3. He was wide and wildsome in the brest.
1818. Todd, Wilsome, obstinate; stubborn. A forgotten old word, but as proper as humoursome, and the like.
1826. Hor. Smith, Tor Hill, I. 26. Within stone walls he is ever willsome and upon the fret.
a. 1835. Hogg, Poems, Spirit of the Glen, xxvii. Marjorie smiled a willsome smile.
Hence Wilsomely adv.2, wilfully; Wilsomeness2, wilfulness, frowardness.
1382. Wyclif, Ecclus. xxxi. 40. The wilsumnesse [Vulg. animositas] of drunkenhed.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 528/2. Wylsomenesse, or froward wylle, effrenitas, vel proprie voluntatis sequela.
a. 1835. Hogg, Poems, Connel of Dee, xvi. His sins were like crimson—all bent and uneven, The path he hed wilesomely trod.
