v. Also 7–8 embarass, 8 imbarrass. [ad. F. embarrasser, lit. ‘to block, obstruct,’ f. embarras: see prec.]
1. trans. To encumber, hamper, impede (movements, actions, persons moving or acting).
1683. Temple, Mem., Wks. 1731, I. 377. The Character of Ambassador, which would delay or embarass me with Preparations of Equipage.
1734. trans. Rollin’s Anc. Hist. (1827), II. II. § 2. 2. Hannibal … ran to the assistance of his troops, who were thus embarrassed.
1803. Wellington, in Gurw., Disp., II. 53, note. The state of the rivers … will embarrass the enemy in a considerable degree.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng. (1858), II. ix. 402. A general council would … embarrass their movements.
b. pass. Of persons: To be ‘in difficulties’ from want of money; to be encumbered with debts. Cf. EMBARRASSED ppl. a., EMBARRASSMENT.
2. To perplex, throw into doubt or difficulty.
1672. Villiers (Dk. Buckhm.), Rehearsal (1714), 41. The People being embarrast by their equal ties to both.
1673. Dryden, Marr. à la Mode, V. i. Pray do not Embarrass me … Embarrass me! what a delicious French word do you make me lose upon you too!
1724. De Foe, Mem. Cavalier (1840), 151. The king embarrassed with these difficulties … calls a great council.
1773. Monboddo, Language (1774), I. I. ix. 123. Could not conceive and argue … without imbarrassing his thoughts.
1824. Travers, Dis. Eye (ed. 3), 332. Such a circumstance may embarrass an operator.
1855. Milman, Lat. Chr. (1864), III. VI. iii. 418. Frederick … embarrassed them with the choice among five prelates.
3. To render difficult or intricate; to complicate (a question, etc.).
1736. Butler, Anal., I. iv. Wks. 1874, I. 80. One irregularity after another embarrasses things to such a degree, that [etc.].
1771. Goldsm., Hist. Eng., Pref. ii. They have effectually embarrassed that road which they laboured to shorten.
1778. Bp. Lowth, Isaiah, Notes (ed. 12), 206. The word … seems to embarrass the sentence.
1818. Cruise, Digest, VI. 25. I do not apprehend that this case will be embarrassed by that decision.
1876. E. Mellor, Priesth., iv. 154. This designation by their ordinary names … must embarras every theory which involves a substantial change.
