mire

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
  2. noun deep soft mud in water or slush
  3. noun a difficulty or embarrassment that is hard to extricate yourself from

Etymology

From Middle English mire, a borrowing from Old Norse mýrr, from Proto-Germanic *miuzijō, whence also Swedish myr, Norwegian myr, Icelandic mýri, Dutch *mier (in placenames, for example Mierlo). Related to Proto-Germanic *meusą, whence Old English mēos, and Proto-Germanic *musą, whence Old English mos (English moss).

In classic literature

Synonyms

quagmire, quag, morass, slack

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