soilsome

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From soil +‎ -some.

Adjective[edit]

soilsome (comparative more soilsome, superlative most soilsome)

  1. Characterised or marked by soil; soiled
    • 1881, Potter's American Monthly, volume 16:
      It has got the notion into its paper head that Mr. G., not Mrs. G., is to set table at the White House, and that political pressure is putting its soilsome foot on his conscience to make a dent large enough to hold a bottle of wine.
    • 1918, St. Nicholas, Volume 45, Part 2:
      They muss our Monday washing up; on Tuesdays steal our tubs; a most distressful nuisance are these soilsome, spoilsome Blubs.
    • 1995, Barry Hannah, The Tennis Handsome:
      She had shared his sheets, and, in nightmares of remorse, he had shared her body, waking with drastic regret, feeling as soiled and soilsome as the city itself.