v.tr. 1 cause (a person) to feel awkward or self-conscious or ashamed. 2 (as embarrassed adj.) encumbered with debts. 3 encumber, impede. 4 complicate (a question etc.). 5 perplex. embarrassedly adv. embarrassingly adv. embarrassment n.
[ F embarrasser (orig. = hamper) f. Sp. embarazar f. It. imbarrare bar in (as IN-(2), BAR(1)) ]