v. Obs. or dial. [f. L. tons-, ppl. stem of tondēre to shear, clip.]
† 1. trans. To cut the hair of. Obs.
1555. W. Watreman, Fardle Facions, App. 333. Before that she (being tonsed, and hauing taken on her mourning wiede) haue bemoned her kinsfolke.
1676. in Vicary’s Anat. (1888), App. xv. 282. If any Brother of the said Company shall … tonse, barbe, or trim any person on the Lord’s day.
2. To trim; to dress up. dial.
1828. Craven Gloss., Tonse, to dress, to deck, to trim. Tonsed, dressed up. ‘Thou’s finely tonsed this morning.’
