lusty

English

Alternative forms

• lustie (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle English lusty (“mirthful, pleasant, delicious, delightful”), equivalent to lust +‎ -y. Compare Saterland Frisian lustich (“amusing”), West Frisian lustich (“amusing, funny”), Dutch lustig (“cheerful”), German lustig (“amusing”), Danish lystig (“merry”), Swedish lustig (“funny”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈlʌsti/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ʌsti

Adjective

lusty (comparative lustier, superlative lustiest)

1. Exhibiting lust (in the obsolete sense meaning "vigor"); strong, healthy, robust; vigorous; full of sap or vitality.
   • 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i], page 6:

     How luſh and luſty the graſſe lookes ? How greene ?

   • 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i], page 7:

     I ſaw him [Ferdinand] beare the ſurges vnder him, / And ride vpon their backes ; he trod the water / Whoſe enmity he flung aſide : and breſted / The ſurge moſt ſwolne that met him : his bold head / 'Bove the contentious waues he kept, and oared / Himſelfe with his good armes in luſty ſtroke / To th'ſhore ; that ore his waue-worne baſis bowed / As ſtooping to releeue him […]

2. Hearty, merry, gleesome, enthusiastic, lively, stirring.
3. (obsolete or informal) Given to experiencing lust; enjoying physical sensations; lustful.
   • 1671, John Milton, “The First Book”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J. M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 2:

     Before the flood thou with thy lusty crew

   • 1990 April 7, “Keep It Coming!”, in Gay Community News, page 17:

     Looking for some hot, hard and hunky fun or a lusty lost weekend at the beach?

4. (obsolete) Beautiful; handsome; pleasant.
   • 1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book III, Canto XI”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, page 37:

     So lovedst thou the lusty Hyacinct;
     So lovedst thou the faire Čoronis deare.

5. (obsolete) Of large size; big.
   • 1652 February 11 (Gregorian calendar), John Evelyn, “[Diary entry for 1 February 1652]”, in William Bray, editor, Memoirs, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn, […], 2nd edition, volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […]; and sold by John and Arthur Arch, […], published 1819, →OCLC:

     I thought to have embarked in the evening, but, for fear of pirates plying near the coast, I durst not trust our small vessel, and stayed till Monday following, when two or three lusty vessels were to depart.

   1. (obsolete, rare) With child.

Derived terms

• lustihead
• lustihood
• lustily
• lustiness

See also

• lustful
• lustuous

References

• “lusty”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
• “lusty”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.

Middle English

Alternative forms

• lusti

Etymology

From lust +‎ -y, though note Old Norse lostigr.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈlustiː/

Adjective

lusty

1. pleasant, delightful
2. eager, happy
3. fine, good
4. good-quality, useful
5. life-giving
6. lustful

Descendants

• English: lusty

References

• “lustī, adj.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2018-03-29.