clumse

Alternative forms

• clumpse, clumps

Etymology

From Middle English clumsen, clomsen, cloumsen, from Old Norse *klumsa (compare Old Norse klumsa (“lock-jawed”)), whence also dialectal Norwegian klumsa (“to make speechless or benumbed”), dialectal Swedish klumsen (“numb with cold”). Compare related Low German verklamen, Dutch kleumen, verkleumen, German verklomen.

Verb

clumse (third-person singular simple present clumses, present participle clumsing, simple past and past participle clumsed)

1. (transitive) To numb; benumb; stiffen or paralyse with cold or fear
2. (intransitive) To be numb or benumbed; be stiffened or paralysed with cold or fear
3. (dialectal, Scotland) To die of thirst

Adjective

clumse (comparative more clumse, superlative most clumse)

1. benumbed, as with cold
2. idle; lazy; loutish

Noun

clumse (plural clumses)

1. A stupid fellow; numbskull

Anagrams

• muscle