Halesome

/ˈheɪlsəm/ adjective

Definition

Wholesome; promoting good health; salubrious and beneficial (archaic/rare).

Etymology

Compound formed from 'hale' (healthy, whole) plus '-some' (a suffix meaning 'characterized by'), creating an old English word meaning 'tending to promote health and well-being.'

Kelly Says

The suffix '-some' created tons of old adjectives describing qualities ('wholesome,' 'awesome,' 'fearsome'), but 'halesome' lost out—probably because 'wholesome' (from 'whole') sounded better and stuck around instead!

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