donsie

or don·sy

[ don-see, dawn- ]

adjective

1. Midland U.S. somewhat sick, weak, or lacking in vitality; not completely well.
2. Scot. unfortunate; ill-fated; unlucky.
3. British Dialect. fastidious; neat; tidy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of donsie¹

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

Example Sentences

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg