clumse meaning: definition, etymology

clumse

verb

/ˈklʌms/

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.

1

To numb; benumb; stiffen or paralyse with cold or fear

2

To be numb or benumbed; be stiffened or paralysed with cold or fear

3

Scotland, Dialectal To die of thirst

clumse

adj

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.

1

benumbed, as with cold

2

idle; lazy; loutish

clumse

noun

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.

1

A stupid fellow; numbskull

Derived terms: clumsy