Clum"sy (?), a. [Compar. [Clumsier] (?); superl. [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.

But thou in clumsy verse, unlicked, unpointed, Hast shamefully defied the Lord's anointed. Dryden.

Syn. -- See [Awkward].

© [Webster 1913].

clumsy (definition)