[f. EMBARRASS + -MENT; cf. obs. Fr. embarrassement.]
1. The process of embarrassing (rare); embarrassed state or condition:
a. of (or with reference to) affairs, circumstances, etc.; often in pecuniary sense.
1676. Coles, Embarasment, f. a perplexing, intangling, hind’ring.
1849. Cobden, Speeches, 62. Difficulty and embarrassment in … the agricultural districts.
c. 1850. Arab. Nts. (Rtldg.), 354. The embarrassment of Noureddin’s affairs.
1853. Bright, Sp. India, 3 June. A state of embarrassment and threatened bankruptcy.
1872. Yeats, Growth Comm., 56. Political embarrassment and domestic want provoked attacks upon the dealers in corn.
1880. L. Stephen, Pope, vi. 139. He managed to run through a splendid fortune and die in embarrassment.
b. Perplexity, sense of difficulty or hesitation with regard to judgment or action; constrained feeling or manner arising from bashfulness or timidity.
1774. Burke, Sp. Electors of Bristol. If my real, unaffected embarrassment prevents me from expressing my gratitude to you as I ought.
1796. C. Marshall, Garden., vii. (1813), 99. Bad weather occasions hurry and embarrassment.
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, vi. There was embarrassment on the maiden’s part.
1852. Mrs. Stowe, Uncle Tom’s C., I. v. 55. ‘Is he a negro-trader?’ said Mrs. Shelby, noticing a certain embarrassment in her husband’s manner.
1863. Geo. Eliot, Romola (1880), I. I. viii. 124. The adroit and ready speech that prevents a blush from looking like embarrassment.
1874. Morley, Compromise (1886), 84. Any embarrassment in dealing with it … is a weakness that hinders social progress.
c. Confusion of thought or expression.
1751. Johnson, Rambler, No. 169, ¶ 13. He seldom suspects his thoughts of embarrassment.
2. Something that embarrasses; an impediment, obstruction, encumbrance. In pl. often = ‘pecuniary difficulties.’
1729. Butler, Serm., Wks. 1874, II. 33. Embarrassments … hindering us from going the nearest way to our own good.
1751. Johnson, Rambl., No. 159, ¶ 6. Diffidence … compensates its embarrassments by more important advantages.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., II. 65. In the hope of extricating himself from his embarrassments.
1862. Trench, Mirac. i. 103. She was evidently distressed at the embarrassments of that humble household.
1876. M. Arnold, Lit. & Dogma, 156–7. To be felt by them as an embarrassment to the cause of Jesus, not a support.
