from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Clumsy \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.]
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
But thou in clumsy verse, unlicked, unpointed,
Hast shamefully defied the Lord's anointed.
--Dryden.
Syn: See {Awkward}.
[1913 Webster]