murk

¹

Or mirk

[murk]

noun

1. darkness; gloom.

   the murk of a foggy night.

adjective

1. Archaic.,  dark; murky.

murk

²

[murk]

verb (used with object)

1. Slang.,  a variant of merk.

murk

¹

/ mɜːk /

noun

1. gloomy darkness

adjective

1. an archaic variant of murky

murk

²

/ mɜːk /

verb

1. to murder (a person)

2. to defeat (a team) convincingly

Word History and Origins

Origin of murk¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English mirke, myrke, from Old Norse myrkr “dark, darkness,” replacing Old English myrce “dark”

Origin of murk²

First recorded in 2005–10

Word History and Origins

Origin of murk¹

C13: probably from Old Norse myrkr darkness; compare Old English mirce dark

Origin of murk²

C20: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Nine Inch Nails thrive in the murk of base instinct and dread.

From Los Angeles Times

Nine Inch Nails thrive in the murk of base human instinct and tech-driven dread.

From Los Angeles Times

It lies waiting to slide into the murk of Echo Park lake, waiting for the cameras to roll.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, delving into talks of cloning grown humans — something that is not scientifically possible in the present — is a big step into the murk of the GOP's tin-foil fringe.

From Salon

Holmes’ willingness to stare into the murk to pull out the truth makes him an uncommon hero and an effective instrument of justice, rare and necessary qualities in a society corrupted by fear.

From Salon