A'wkward. adj. [[æƿaꞃꝺ, Saxon; that is, backward, untoward.]
- lnelegant; unpolite; untaught; ungenteel.
Proud Italy,
Whose manners still our tardy, apish nation
Limps after in base awkward imitation. Shak. Rich. II.Their own language is worthy their care; and they are judged of by their handsome or awkward way of expressing themselves in it. Locke.
An awkward shame, or fear of ill usage, has a share in this conduct. Swift.
- Unready; unhandy; not dexterous; clumsy.
Slow to resolve, but in performance quick;
So true, that he was awkward at a trick. Dryd. Hind and P. - Perverse; untoward.
A kind and constant friend
To all that regularly offend;
But was implacable, and awkward,
To all that interlop'd and hawker'd. Hudibras.