Awk, a.
a. [Properly equiv. to left: e. g., on the awle or left hand, Holland. Plut. p. 717; abbrev. from O. Eng. gauk, gaulic, left, Fr. gauche, from Ger. welk, O. H. Ger. welc, wellh, infirm. Cf. It. mano stanca, the weary or left hand.] [Obs. in all its senses.]
Sense 1. Odd; out of order. “Professors ringing as awk as the bells.” L’Estrange.
Sense 2. Wrong, or not commonly used; as, the awk end of a rod. Golding.
Sense 3. Clumsy in performance, or manners; unhandy; not dextrous; awkward. [Vulgar.]