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Synonyms for clumsiness

Grammar : Noun
Spell : kluhm-zee
Phonetic Transcription : ˈklʌm zi

Définition of clumsiness

Origin :
  • 1590s, "acting as if benumbed," alteration of Middle English clumsid "numb with cold" (14c.), past participle of clumsen "to benumb, stiffen or paralyze with cold or fear," from a Scandinavian source akin to Old Norse klumsa "make speechless, palsy; prevent from speaking," intensive of kluma "to make motionless." For insertion of -s-, cf. flimsy.
  • Not in general use until 18c., with senses "manifesting awkwardness; so made as to be unwieldy." Related: Clumsily; clumsiness. Cf. Swedish dialectal klummsen "benumbed with cold," Norwegian klumsad (past participle) "speechless, palsied by a spasm or by fear or witchery;" German verklammen "grow stiff or numb with cold." Also cf. clumse (n.) "a stupid fellow."
  • noun maladroitness
Example sentences :
  • He inwardly cursed his clumsiness as he changed his gesture.
  • Extract from : « Changing Winds » by St. John G. Ervine
  • Grivet then made himself remarkable by the clumsiness of his offers.
  • Extract from : « Therese Raquin » by Emile Zola
  • The clumsiness of the style is exhibited in frequent mannerisms and repetitions.
  • Extract from : « Laws » by Plato
  • "Bardelys, a thousand apologies for my clumsiness," he muttered.
  • Extract from : « Bardelys the Magnificent » by Rafael Sabatini
  • "I have no clumsiness to confess," he answered hotly, raising his voice.
  • Extract from : « Bardelys the Magnificent » by Rafael Sabatini
  • He had been clumsy, if nothing else, and he had always thought that clumsiness was inexcusable.
  • Extract from : « The Vagrant Duke » by George Gibbs
  • First of all I was taken aback by what seemed to me the clumsiness of his technique.
  • Extract from : « The Moon and Sixpence » by W. Somerset Maugham
  • He dropped the rope as if by accident, crying out at his clumsiness.
  • Extract from : « Two Sides of the Face » by Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
  • Could it have been some clumsiness of her own in her convulsive clinging to him?
  • Extract from : « Ambrotox and Limping Dick » by Oliver Fleming
  • This was aimed at John Mangles, who had smiled at the clumsiness of some maneuver.
  • Extract from : « In Search of the Castaways » by Jules Verne

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019