English

Alternative forms

• hearsum, hersum (obsolete)

Adjective

hearsome ‎(comparative more hearsome, superlative most hearsome)

1. (rare) Ready to hear; obedient; compliant; dutiful; devout.
   • 1863, Henry Mayhew, The boyhood of Martin Luther:

     "[...] Thou dost like a hearsome wife, thou dost ever say."

   • 1880, Joseph Angus, The handbook of specimens of English literature:

     In that he mis-bade (ruled) his monks in many things and the monks meant it lovingly to him and bade him that he should hold (treat) them rightly and love them and they would be faithful to him and hearsome (obedient).

Derived terms

• hearsomeness

Etymology 2

From Middle English hersumen, hersumien, from Old English hīersumian ‎(“to obey, serve”), from hīersum ‎(“obedient, docile”). Cognate with Old High German hōrsamōn ‎(“to obey”).

Verb

hearsome ‎(third-person singular simple present hearsomes, present participle hearsoming, simple past and past participle hearsomed)

1. (transitive, obsolete) To obey; be obedient to; revere.