Cumbly

/ˈkʌmbli/ adjective

Definition

Archaic or dialect: characterized by encumbrance; burdensome or troublesome.

Etymology

From 'cumble' or 'cumber' plus the -ly adjective suffix. Found in Middle English and Early Modern English texts, now obsolete.

Kelly Says

Words ending in -ly shifted from adjectives to adverbs in Early Modern English—'cumbly' was an adjective before that shift, a fossil showing English grammar reorganizing itself.

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