See Also: flexure(dictionary)
flexure(medicine)
mesencephalic flexure(medicine)
anorectal flexure(medicine)
pontine flexure(medicine)
right colic flexure(medicine)
sacral flexure(medicine)
sigmoid flexure(medicine)
splenic flexure(medicine)
telencephalic flexure(medicine)

awkward (oh) and flexure (iou)


awkward (oh)



[Date: 1500-1600; Origin: awk 'turned the wrong way' (15-17 centuries) (from Old Norse ?fugr) + -ward]
making you feel embarrassed so that you are not sure what to do or say
-synonym difficult difficult
::I hoped he would stop asking awkward questions .
::There was an awkward moment when she didn't know whether to shake his hand or kiss his cheek.
::an awkward silence
::A laugh can help people over an awkward situation.
::Philip's remarks put her in an awkward position (=made it difficult for her to know what to do) .
not relaxed or comfortable
::She liked to Dance but felt awkward if someone was watching her.
::Geoff looked uneasy and awkward.
::Make sure that the baby is not sleeping in an awkward position.
difficult to do, use, or deal with
::It'll be awkward getting cars in and out.
::The new financial arrangements were awkward to manage.
::A good carpenter can make a cupboard to fit the most awkward space.
::She was afraid he was going to ask an awkward question.
not convenient
::I'm sorry to call at such an awkward time but I won't keep you a minute.
an awkward person is deliberately unhelpful
-synonym difficult difficult awkward about
::The staff wanted to go Home and they were getting awkward about a meeting starting so late.
::an awkward customer (=person who is difficult and unhelpful)
-- awkwardly adv
::'I'm very sorry about your sister,' he said awkwardly.
::Vera smiled awkwardly.
-- awkwardness n [U]
::He tried to smooth over the awkwardness of the situation.

flexure (iou)



flexure noun. L16.
[Latin flexura, from flex-: see FLEX verb, -URE.]
The action or an act of flexing or bending; curvature. L16.
Flexed or bent condition; bent figure or posture; bending or winding form. E17.
Something that is bent; a bend, a curve; spec. the inner surface of a flexed joint. E17.
A tendency to bend or be bent; a strain. Only in M17.
Ability to bend or be bent. M17-E19.
Science. The curving of a line or surface or solid, esp. from or towards a straight line, plane, etc. L17.
Geology. The bending of strata under pressure. M19.
flexural adjective of or relating to flexure L19.