ppl. a. [f. prec.]
1. Of a road, a channel, etc.: Made difficult by obstructions; full of obstructions. Now only fig.
1727. A. Hamilton, New Acc. E. Ind., I. xxiv. 295. Its [a river’s] Passage inward is … embarassed with Rocks.
1796–7. Instr. & Reg. Cavalry (1813), 183. If the ground is at all embarrassed, the line cannot incline.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., I. § 26. 193. A less embarrassed field of operations.
2. Of persons, their movements or actions: Hampered by difficulties, impeded.
b. Involved in money difficulties.
1888. Spectator, 30 June, 877/2. Sums of that kind are not spent by an embarrassed State without the gravest reason [etc.].
3. a. Perplexed (in thought). b. Confused, constrained (in manner or behavior).
1683. D. A., Art Converse, 107. Their utterance is embarass’d and uneasie.
1761. Churchill, Rosciad (R.). Awkward, embarrass’d, stiff, without the skill Of moving gracefully.
1768. Sterne, Sent. Journ. (1778), II. 198. I found myself as much embarrassed as it was possible the lady could be herself.
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, xxiii. ‘Tush, father Glover,’ answered the embarrassed victor.
1875. Hamerton, Intell. Life, VII. ix. 270. I was the embarrassed and unwilling witness.
4. Of expressions, narratives, etc.: Involved, confused.
1760. Jortin, Erasm., II. 623. That the periods are rather too long, and embarassed.
1824. L. Murray, Eng. Gram., 517. Embarrassed, obscure, and feeble sentences.
1868. J. H. Blunt. Ref. Ch. Eng., I. 391. Subjects have been set aside … to prevent the narrative from becoming embarrassed.
