† ˈawkness Obs.
[f. awk a. + -ness.]
Wrongness, irrationality, perversity, untowardness, awkwardness, ineptitude.
| 1587 Golding De Mornay xxxii. (1617) 558 The skilfull [man] can..by his cunning ouercome the awknesse of his stuffe. 1615 Hieron Wks. I. 602 A reprobate awknes to all good. 1655 W. Gurnall Chr. in Arm. xv. §1 (1669) 164/1 So much awknesse and unwillingnesse to come to God's foot. 1668 Spurston Spir. Chymist Pref. 5 Awkness to this beneficial employment. 1674 N. Fairfax Bulk & Selv. 171 By shewing the aukness or great absurdity on the other side. |