tonse, v. Obs. or dial.
[f. L. tons-, ppl. stem of tondēre to shear, clip.]
† 1. trans. To cut the hair of. Obs.
| 1555 W. Watreman Fardle Facions App. 333 Before that she (being tonsed, and hauing taken on her mourning wiede) haue bemoned her kinsfolke. 1676 in Vicary's Anat. (1888) App. xv. 282 If any Brother of the said Company shall..tonse, barbe, or trim any person on the Lord's day. |
2. To trim; to dress up. dial.
| 1828 Craven Gloss., Tonse, to dress, to deck, to trim. Tonsed, dressed up. ‘Thou's finely tonsed this morning. |