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donsie

or don·sy

[ don-see, dawn- ]
/ ˈdɒn si, ˈdɔn- /
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adjective
Midland U.S. somewhat sick, weak, or lacking in vitality; not completely well.
Scot. unfortunate; ill-fated; unlucky.
British Dialect. fastidious; neat; tidy.
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Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
candystring
candyfloss
candypuff
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Origin of donsie

1710–20; <Scots Gaelic donas harm, ill + -ie

Words nearby donsie

do-nothing, do-nothingism, Donovan, Don Quixote, Don River, donsie, don't, don't ask, don't change horses at midstream, Don't count your chickens before they hatch, don't cross that bridge till you come to it
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use donsie in a sentence

  • She was the daughter of a donsie mother, that could gie no name to her gets, of which she had two laddies, besides Jean.

    The Provost|John Galt

  • But what is to become of the poor donsie woman, no one can expound.

    The Ayrshire Legatees|John Galt
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