▪ I. fumbling, vbl. n.
(ˈfʌmblɪŋ)
[f. fumble v. + -ing1.]
The action of the vb. fumble.
| 1562 J. Heywood Prov. & Epigr. (1867) 217 This man in his breech feelyng such fumblyng. 1601 Weever Mirr. Mart. C ij, Now are we dwarfs, they [our issue] will be pismires then, This is the fumbling of our aged men. 1645 Milton Colast. Wks. (1851) 351 Your second Argument, without more tedious fumbling is briefly thus. 1762 Stevenson Crazy Tales 49 There's a disorder we call Fumbling, Amongst the men call'd Fighting shy. 1875 Kinglake Crimea (1877) V. i. 366 That impotent fumbling after carbines or pistols. 1892 Jessopp Stud. by Recluse Pref. (1893) 15, I do not call these stray papers Essays, but mere Studies—fumblings if you will. |
▪ II. ˈfumbling, ppl. a.
[f. as prec. + -ing2.]
a. That fumbles or gropes about; also, characterized by fumbling.
| 1847 Emerson Poems (1857) 62 The frost-king ties my fumbling feet. 1848 Dickens Dombey xxxiv, She attired herself, with fumbling fingers. 1865 Max Müller Chips (1880) II. xxv. 286 The fumbling efforts of gentlemen in removing their gloves before shaking hands. 1889 H. F. Wood Englishman Rue Caïn v, A spare individual..entered..after a fumbling rap at the door. |
b. fig. That does something clumsily or awkwardly; also, hesitating in speech, mumbling.
| 1532 More Confut. Tindale Wks. 698/1 Not anye true feelynge faythe, but a false fumblyng fantasye. a 1577 Gascoigne Herbs, Weedes, etc. Wks. (1587) 114 Wyth hollow voice and fumbling toong thus spoke. 1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. lxii. §14 Such are their fumbling shifts. 1602 Marston Antonio's Rev. i. i. Wks. 1856 I. 75, I could eate Thy fumbling throat, for thy lagd censure. 1638 Baker tr. Balzac's Lett. (vol. III) 258 He hath..but a very fumbling speech. 1681 Hickeringill Vind. Truth ii. 36 A fibling..fumbling Arch-Deacon. 1848 Kingsley Saint's Trag. v. iii, There are wrongs The fumbling piecemeal law can never touch. |
c. Sexually impotent. Cf. fumble v. 4 and fumbler b.
| 1576 Newton Lemnie's Complex. 81 b, They be vnto carnall coiture fumbling, slow, and not greatly therto addicted. a 1703 Pomfret Poet. Wks. (1833) 17 Dull old age, with fumbling labour, cloys Before the bliss. 1710 Brit. Apollo III. No. 77. 3/2 Their Fumbling Neighbours..cannot Enjoy The Pleasure of getting a Girl, or a Boy. 1786 Burns Scotch Drink xii, How fumblin cuifs their dearies slight. |
| fig. a 1577 Gascoigne Gardninges 32, Herbs (1587) 164 If barreyn soyle, why then it chaungeth hewe, It fadeth faste, it flits to fumbling yeares. 1684 Otway Prol. Lee's Constantine, Fumbling, itching Rhimers of the town [proud] T' adopt some base-born Song that's not their own. 1689 Hickeringill Ceremony-Monger Introd. Wks. (1716) II. 500 Impotency is supply'd by Fumbling Registers. |
d. (See fumble v. 3.)
| 1681 Crowne Hen. VI, i. 3 Pox o' these fumbling robes! How came my warlike spirit wrapt in these Formalities, that hold my hands from blood? |
Hence ˈfumblingly adv.
| 1598 Florio, Palpegone, gropingly, fumblingly. 1636 B. Jonson Discov., Perspicuitas (Rtldg.) 760/2 Many good scholars speak but fumblingly. 1870 Daily News 9 Nov., He is obliged to put on his spectacles fumblingly. |