adv. [f. as prec. + -LY2.] In an awkward manner.
† 1. Wrongly, perversely. Obs.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, X. 4379. At attens all folke aykewardly worshippid Minerva, a maument. Ibid., XIX. 8139. Sum fend … Þat onsward the owkewardly.
2. Without dexterity in action; with ill adaptation to a purpose; in a bungling or clumsy way; without ease of manner, inelegantly, ungracefully.
1663. Cowley, Verses & Ess. (1669), 85. Who stands not aukwardly in his own light.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Past., Pref. And handle their Sheep-Hook as awkardly, as they do their Oaten-Reed.
1704. Lond. Gaz., No. 4064/6. Envy and Malice … awkerdly acknowledge what they cannot deny.
1816. in Macready’s Remin., I. 129. The plainest and most awkwardly-made man.
1867. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), I. App. 780. The mention of Godwine comes in very awkwardly.
3. Embarrassingly, inconveniently; dangerously.
1674. Marvell, Reh. Transp., II. 359. Twould go very hard and aukwardly with you.
1812. L. Hunt, in Examiner, 28 Sept., 610/1. I am aukwardly situated.
