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 ]