a. [f. TOIL sb.1 + -SOME.]
1. Of actions, conditions, etc.: Characterized by or involving toil; laborious, tiring.
1581. J. Bell, Haddon’s Answ. Osor., 23 b. O my ouer tedious and toylesome lucke, that hoped to dispute with a learned and discrete Diuine,…: but now finde all contrary.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., I. iv. 3. For she is wearie of the toilsom way.
1667. Milton, P. L., XI. 179. What can be toilsom in these pleasant Walkes?
1707. Curios. in Husb. & Gard., 111. The making of Cyder being Toilsom and expensive.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xiii. III. 358. The ascent had been long and toilsome.
b. Of concrete things: Entailing toil.
1609. W. M., Man in Moone (Percy Soc.), 44. The toylsomest burden that combreth a man.
1791. Cowper, Odyss., X. 94. Our force Exhausting ceaseless at the toilsome oar.
2. Of an agent: = TOILFUL 1.
1655. H. Vaughan, Silex Scint., II. Quickness, v. Thou art a toylsom Mole.
a. 1841. Shepard, in Ess. Chr. Ministry, 66/2. Fervent, heroic, toilsome men.
1845. Longf., Rain in Summer, vii. In the furrowed land The toilsome and patient oxen stand.
† 3. Caused by toil. Obs. rare.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., II. v. 30. Toylsom sweat. Ibid., xii. 29. Ne ever sought to bayt His tyred armes for toylesome wearinesse.
Hence Toilsomely adv., in a toilsome manner, laboriously; Toilsomeness, laboriousness.
1614. Bp. Hall, Contempl., O. T., VIII. v. Their life must be *toilesomely spent in hewing of wood, and drawing of water for all Israel.
1816. Scott, Bl. Dwarf, iv. Slowly and toilsomely labouring to pile the large stones one upon another.
1871. Macmillan, True Vine, ii. (1872), 61. Earning toilsomely his daily bread.
1586. Stanyhurst, Ded. to Sir H. Sidney, in Holinshed (1808), VI. 274. The *toilesomnesse of the paine I refer to my priuat knowledge.
1630. R. Johnson’s Kingd. & Commw., 89. A Peasant, disparaged in his drudgery and servile toilsomenesse.
1889. Spectator, 30 Nov. All dwelt on the painful toilsomeness of manual work, and not one on the satisfaction it produces.
