sonsy

American  

[son-see] / ˈsɒn si /

Also sonsie.

adjective

Scot. and North England, Irish English.

sonsier, sonsiest

1. strong and healthy; robust.

2. agreeable; good-natured.

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sonsy British  

/ ˈsɒnsɪ /

adjective

1. plump; buxom; comely

2. cheerful; good-natured

3. lucky

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Etymology

Origin of sonsy

1525–35; sonse “prosperity, good fortune” ( Middle English ( Scots ) < Scots Gaelic sonas, Middle Irish sonus, derivative of sona “prosperous, happy,” Old Irish son ) + -y ¹ ( def. ); cf. donsie

Example Sentences

"Is she a pretty girl?" said the Duke; "her sister does not get beyond a good comely sonsy lass."

From The Heart of Mid-Lothian, Volume 2 by Scott, Walter, Sir

Davey saw no more of her than her sonsy face, surrounded with the fair wisps of curls.

From The Pioneers by Prichard, Katharine Susannah

By Sophie May In the green valley of the Yarrow, near the castle-keep of Norham, dwelt an honest sonsy little family, whose only grief was an unhappy son, named Robin.

From The Junior Classics — Volume 6 Old-Fashioned Tales by Patten, William

Susan Fergusson at five-and-forty was sonsy to the last degree.

From Deep Moat Grange by Crockett, S. R. (Samuel Rutherford)

John studied her face for a moment It was a sonsy and simple face, and her eyes were not unkindly.

From John Splendid The Tale of a Poor Gentleman, and the Little Wars of Lorn by Munro, Neil