different between clumsy vs lavolta

English

Etymology

Possibly from an alteration of clumsed (“benumbed”) or from clumse (“a stupid fellow; lout”) +? -y. More at clumse.

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /?kl?mzi/

Adjective

clumsy (comparative clumsier, superlative clumsiest)

1. Awkward, lacking coordination, not graceful, not dextrous.

   He's very clumsy. I wouldn't trust him with carrying the dishes.

2. Not elegant or well-planned, lacking tact or subtlety.

   It is a clumsy solution, but it might work for now.

   What a clumsy joke...

3. Awkward or inefficient in use or construction, difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape.

Translations

Noun

clumsy (plural clumsies)

1. (informal, fairly rare) A clumsy person.
   • 1934, P. L. Travers, Mary Poppins

     “Well, you are a clumsy,” said Ellen, as she bent down to mop up the water. “That was for your father’s shaving.”

Synonyms

• butterfingers
• galoot
• klutz

Translations

See also

• clumsies

Anagrams

• cumyls, muscly

English

Etymology

From Italian la volta (“the turn, turning, whirl”) and the French la volte (circular movement). Compare volt (“circular tread of a horse”), volta.

Noun

lavolta (plural lavoltas)

1. An ancient dance of the Renaissance which incorporated many challenging twists and skips.
   • 1928, Virginia Woolf, Orlando

     Orlando, it is true, was none of those who tread lightly the coranto and lavolta; he was clumsy; and a little absent-minded.

References

• Webster, Noah (1828) , “lavolta”, in An American Dictionary of the English Language