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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.
QUIZ
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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…

Origin of donsie

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

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