Wholesome, 1) sound, healthy: “it doth posset and curd . . . the thin and w. blood,” Hml. I, 5, 70. “thy natural magic . . . on w. life usurp immediately,” III, 2, 271. “like a mildewed ear, blasting his w. brother,” III, 4, 65.
Metaphorically, == a) prosperous: “in state as w. as in state 'tis fit,” Wiv. V, 5, 63. “when shalt thou see thy w. days again,” Mcb. IV, 3, 105. “in the tender of a w. weal,” Lr. I, 4, 230. b) reasonable: “an honest method, as w. as sweet,” Hml. II, 2, 465. “if it shall please you to make me a w. answer,” III, 2, 328. “I cannot . . . make you a w. answer; my wit's diseased,” III, 2, 328 “in w. wisdom he might not but refuse you,” Oth. III, 1, 49.
2) tending to promote health, salubrious: Meas. IV, 2, 76 “(--st).” Err. V, 104. LLL I, 1, 235. As III, 2, 58. Shr. IV, 3, 16. Wint. I, 2, 346. R2 III, 4, 39. R2 III, 4, 39 H5 I, 1, 61. Cor. I, 1, 18. Caes. II, 1, 264. Hml. I, 1, 162. Cymb. I, 2, 4. Per. IV, 6, 28 (w. iniquity; ironically).
Metaphorically, == salutary, suitable, profitable: “to wail friends lost is not by much so w. profitable as to rejoice at friends but newly found,” LLL V, 2, 760. “w. counsel,” R2 II, 1, 2. H8 I, 1, 113. “not w. to those,” I, 2, 45. “not w. to our cause,” III, 2, 99. “repeal daily any w. act,” Cor. I, 1, 85. “you wear out a good w. forenoon in hearing a cause between . . .,” II, 1, 77 (which might be spent more profitably). “speak to 'em . . . in w. manner,” II, 3, 66. “to such w. end as clears her from all blame,” Lr. II, 4, 146. “it seems not meet, nor w. to my place,” Oth. I, 1, 146.
Shakespeare Lexicon. Alexander Schmidt. Berlin. Georg Reimer. 1902.
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