clumse
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
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.
Pronunciation edit
Verb edit
clumse (third-person singular simple present clumses, present participle clumsing, simple past and past participle clumsed)
- (transitive) To numb; benumb; stiffen or paralyse with cold or fear
- (intransitive) To be numb or benumbed; be stiffened or paralysed with cold or fear
- (dialectal, Scotland) To die of thirst
Adjective edit
clumse (comparative more clumse, superlative most clumse)
Noun edit
clumse (plural clumses)