Part 827

<h1>Awk</h1> <Xpage=107>

<hw>Awk</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[OE. <ets>auk</ets>, <ets>awk</ets> (properly) turned away; (hence) contrary, wrong, from Icel. <ets>\'94figr</ets>, <ets>\'94fugr</ets>, <ets>afigr</ets>, turning the wrong way, fr. <ets>af</ets> off, away; cf. OHG. <ets>abuh</ets>, Skr. <ets>ap\'bec</ets> turned away, fr. <ets>apa</ets> off, away + a root <ets>ak</ets>, <ets>a</ets><?/<ets>k</ets>, to bend, from which come also E. <ets>angle</ets>, <ets>anchor</ets>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>Odd; out of order; perverse.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Wrong, or not commonly used; clumsy; sinister; <as>as, the <ex>awk</ex> end of a rod (the but end)</as>.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Golding.</i>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>Clumsy in performance or manners; unhandy; not dexterous; awkward.</def> <mark>[Obs. or Prov. Eng.]</mark>

<h1>Awk</h1> <Xpage=107>

<hw>Awk</hw>, <tt>adv.</tt> <def>Perversely; in the wrong way.</def>

<i>L'Estrange.</i>

<h1>Awkly</h1> <Xpage=107>

<hw>Awk"ly</hw>, <tt>adv.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>In an unlucky (left-handed) or perverse manner.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Holland.</i>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Awkwardly.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Fuller.</i>

<h1>Awkward</h1> <Xpage=107>

<hw>Awk"ward</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[<ets>Awk</ets> + <ets>-ward</ets>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>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>as, he was <ex>awkward</ex> at a trick; an <ex>awkward</ex> boy.</as></def>

<blockquote>And dropped an <b>awkward</b> courtesy. <i>Dryden.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Not easily managed or effected; embarrassing.</def>

<blockquote>A long and <b>awkward</b> process. <i>Macaulay.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>An <b>awkward</b> affair is one that has gone wrong, and is difficult to adjust. <i>C. J. Smith.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>Perverse; adverse; untoward.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark> "<i>Awkward</i> casualties." "<i>Awkward</i> wind."

<i>Shak.</i>

<blockquote>O blind guides, which being of an <b>awkward</b> religion, do strain out a gnat, and swallow up a cancel. <i>Udall.</i></blockquote>

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

-- <wordforms><wf>Awk"ward*ly</wf> <tt>(<?/)</tt>, <tt>adv.</tt> -- <wf>Awk"ward*ness</wf>, <tt>n.</tt></wordforms>

<h1>Awl</h1> <Xpage=107>

<hw>Awl</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[OE. <ets>aul</ets>, <ets>awel</ets>, <ets>al</ets>, AS. <ets><?/l</ets>, <ets>awel</ets>; akin to Icel. <ets>alr</ets>, OHG. <ets>\'bela</ets>, G. <ets>ahle</ets>, Lith. <ets>yla</ets>, Skr. <ets>\'ber\'be</ets>.]</ety> <def>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 <i>brad awl</i>, <i>saddler</i>'<i>s awl</i>, <i>shoemaker</i>'<i>s awl</i>, etc.</def>

<h1>Awless</h1> <Xpage=107>