Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Wholesome \Whole"some\, a. [Compar. {Wholesomer}; superl.
   {Wholesomest}.] [Whole + some; cf. Icel. heilsamr, G.
   heilsam, D. heilzaam.]
   1. Tending to promote health; favoring health; salubrious;
      salutary.

            Wholesome thirst and appetite.        --Milton.

            From which the industrious poor derive an agreeable
            and wholesome variety of food.        --A Smith.

   2. Contributing to the health of the mind; favorable to
      morals, religion, or prosperity; conducive to good;
      salutary; sound; as, wholesome advice; wholesome
      doctrines; wholesome truths; wholesome laws.

            A wholesome tongue is a tree of life. --Prov. xv. 4.

            I can not . . . make you a wholesome answer; my
            wit's diseased.                       --Shak.

            A wholesome suspicion began to be entertained. --Sir
                                                  W. Scott.

   3. Sound; healthy. [Obs.] --Shak. -- {Whole"some*ly}, adv. --
      {Whole"some*ness}, n.