wholesome
English
Etymology
From earlier holesome, from Middle English holsom, holsum, helsum, halsum, from Old English *hālsum, *hǣlsum, from Proto-Germanic *hailasamaz, equivalent to whole + -some. Cognate with Dutch heilzaam, Icelandic heilsamur, Norwegian Nynorsk helsesam, Swedish hälsosam (“wholesome”).
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 331: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈhoʊlsəm/
Adjective
wholesome (comparative wholesomer, superlative wholesomest)
- Promoting good physical health and well-being.
- Promoting moral and mental well-being.
- 1750, “Theodora”, Thomas Morell (lyrics), George Frideric Handel (music)[1]:
- Though hard, my friends, yet wholesome are the truths, taught in affliction's school, whence the pure soul rises refined, and soars above the world.
- Favourable to morals, religion or prosperity; sensible; conducive to good; salutary; promoting virtue or being virtuous.
- Marked by wholeness; sound and healthy.
Synonyms
- (promoting health): healthy, healthful, salubrious
Antonyms
Derived terms
Translations
promoting good health, and well-being
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sound and healthy
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promoting virtue or being virtuous
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References
- “wholesome”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
- “wholesome”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
Categories:
- English terms inherited from Middle English
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English terms inherited from Old English
- English terms derived from Old English
- English terms inherited from Proto-Germanic
- English terms derived from Proto-Germanic
- English terms suffixed with -some
- English 2-syllable words
- English terms with IPA pronunciation
- English lemmas
- English adjectives
- English terms with quotations