Part 475

Awk"ward (k"werd), a. [Awk + -ward.] 1. Wanting dexterity in the use of the hands, or of instruments; not dexterous; without skill; clumsy; wanting ease, grace, or effectiveness in movement; ungraceful; as, he was awkward at a trick; an awkward boy.

And dropped an awkward courtesy. Dryden.

2. Not easily managed or effected; embarrassing.

A long and awkward process. Macaulay.

An awkward affair is one that has gone wrong, and is difficult to adjust. C. J. Smith.

3. Perverse; adverse; untoward. [Obs.] "Awkward casualties." "Awkward wind." Shak.

O blind guides, which being of an awkward religion, do strain out a gnat, and swallow up a cancel. Udall.

Syn. -- Ungainly; unhandy; clownish; lubberly; gawky; maladroit; bungling; inelegant; ungraceful; unbecoming. -- Awkward, Clumsy, Uncouth. Awkward has a special reference to outward deportment. A man is clumsy in his whole person, he is awkward in his gait and the movement of his limbs. Clumsiness is seen at the first view. Awkwardness is discovered only when a person begins to move. Hence the expressions, a clumsy appearance, and an awkward manner. When we speak figuratively of an awkward excuse, we think of a want of ease and grace in making it; when we speak of a clumsy excuse, we think of the whole thing as coarse and stupid. We apply the term uncouth most frequently to that which results from the want of instruction or training; as, uncouth manners; uncouth language.

-- Awk"ward*ly (k"werd*l), adv. -- Awk"ward*ness, n.

Awl (l), n. [OE. aul, awel, al, AS. l, awel; akin to Icel. alr, OHG. la, G. ahle, Lith. yla, Skr. r.] A pointed instrument for piercing small holes, as in leather or wood; used by shoemakers, saddlers, cabinetmakers, etc. The blade is differently shaped and pointed for different uses, as in the brad awl, saddler's awl, shoemaker's awl, etc.

Aw"less ("ls), a. 1. Wanting reverence; void of respectful fear. "Awless insolence." Dryden.

2. Inspiring no awe. [Obs.] "The awless throne." Shak. [Written also aweless]

Aw"less*ness, n. The quality of being awless.

Awl"-shaped` (l"shpt`), a. 1. Shaped like an awl.

2. (Nat. Hist.) Subulate. See Subulate. Gray.

Awl"wort` (l"wûrt`), n. [Awl + wort.] (Bot.) A plant (Subularia aquatica), with awl-shaped leaves.

Awm (m), n. See Aam.

Awn (n), n. [OE. awn, agune, from Icel. ögn, pl. agnir; akin to Sw. agn, Dan. avne, Goth. ahana, OHG. agana, G. agen, ahne, chaff, Gr. 'a`chnh, AS. egla; prob. from same root as E. acute. See 3d Ear.] 1. (Bot.) The bristle or beard of barley, oats, grasses, etc., or any similar bristlelike appendage; arista. Gray.

Awned (nd), a. (Bot.) Furnished with an awn, or long bristle-shaped tip; bearded. Gray.

Awn"ing (&?;), n. [Origin uncertain: cf. F. auvent awing, or Pers. wan, wang, anything suspended, or LG. havening a place sheltered from wind and weather, E. haven.] 1. A rooflike cover, usually of canvas, extended over or before any place as a shelter from the sun, rain, or wind.

2. (Naut.) That part of the poop deck which is continued forward beyond the bulkhead of the cabin.

Awn"inged (&?;), a. Furnished with an awning.

Awn"less, a. Without awns or beard.

Awn"y (&?;), a. Having awns; bearded.

A*work" (&?;), adv. [Pref. a- + work.] At work; in action. "Set awork." Shak.

A*work"ing, adv. [Pref. a- + working.] At work; in action. [Archaic or Colloq.] Spenser.

{ A*wreak", A*wreke", } (&?;), v. t. & i. To avenge. [Obs.] See Wreak.

A*wrong" (&?;), adv. [Pref. a- + wrong.] Wrongly. Ford.