† ˈworsum, ˈwursum Obs.
Forms: α. 1 worsm (uuorsm), wursm, 3 (9 north. dial.) wursum (wrusum), 4, Sc. 6–7, 9 worsum; Sc. 7 worsam, -some, 6 woursome, 9 woursum. β. 3, 6 Sc. wirsum (3 Orm. wirrsenn), 9 north. dial. wirsom.
[OE. worsm, wursm, metathetic form of the more usual worms, wurms (also wyrms), app. related to wyrm worm n.]
Purulent matter, pus.
| α c 825 Epinal Gloss. 777 Pus, uuorsm. c 1000 Sax. Leechd. I. 100 Heo..þæt worsm [v.r. worms] ut atyhð. Ibid. II. 202 Oþ þæt he þæt wursm of muðe hræce. a 1225 Ancr. R. 274 Mine wunden..gedereð neowe wrusum [v.r. wursum] & foð on eft uorte rotien. a 1300 Cursor M. 11835 Ouer-al wrang vte worsum and ware, And wormes creuld here and þare. 1513 Douglas æneis iii. ix. 64 Thir wretchit mennis flesche, that is his fude, And drinkis worsum, and thair lopperit blude. 1595 Duncan App. Etym. (E.D.S.), Pus, sanies, worsum of a byle. 1610 in Pitcairn Crim. Trials III. 95 For Bewitching of ane kow, quhairthrow þe haill milk that scho þaireftir gaif was bluid and worsam. 1613 P. Forbes On Rev. iv. 15 It is not mixed with bloud..much lesse with bloudy worsum. 1666 Despaut. Gram. D 4 a (Jam.), Tabes..rotten and putrified blood and worsome. 1808 Jamieson, Woursum, Worsum, purulent matter; S. pron. wursum. 1846 Brockett N.C. Words (ed. 3), Wursum, pus; particularly when foul. |
| β c 1200 Ormin 4782 War & wirrsenn toc anan Ut off hiss lic to flowenn. a 1250 Ancr. R. 322 (Titus MS.), Hwon..al þe fulðe scheawes him & wringes ut tat wirsum. 1597 in Misc. Spalding Club (1841) I. 93 Thow..keist witchecraft on the said cow,..that scho gewe no milk, bot..lyk wirsum or wenem. 1847 Halliwell, Wirsom, foul pus. Yorksh. |
b. quasi-adj. Purulent.
| a 1599 Rollock Serm. Wks. 1849 I. 444 He hes not skunnert..at thy worsum bylis, and botchis. |