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Webster 1913 Edition

Clumsy

Clum′sy

,
Adj.
[
Com
par.
Clumsier
;
sup
erl.
Clumsiest
.]
[OE.
clumsed
benumbed, fr.
clumsen
to be benumbed; cf. Icel.
klumsa
lockjaw, dial. Sw.
klummsen
benumbed with cold. Cf. 1st
Clam
, and 1st
Clamp
.]
1.
Stiff or benumbed, as with cold.
[Obs.]
2.
Without skill or grace; wanting dexterity, nimbleness, or readiness; stiff; awkward, as if benumbed; unwieldy; unhandy; hence; ill-made, misshapen, or inappropriate;
as, a
clumsy
person; a
clumsy
workman;
clumsy
fingers; a
clumsy
gesture; a
clumsy
excuse
.
Syn. – See
Awkward
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Clumsy

CLUMSY

,
Adj.
s as z. [from clump, lump.]
1.
Properly, short and thick, like a clump or lump. Hence,
2.
Moving heavily, slowly or awkwardly; as clumsy fingers.
3.
Awkward; ungainly; unhandy; artless; without readiness, dexterity or grace; as a clumsy man; a clumsy fellow.
4.
Ill-made; badly constructed; as a clumsy garment; clumsy verse.

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