mire

[mahy^uhr]

noun

1. a tract or area of wet, swampy ground; bog; marsh.

2. ground of this kind, as wet, slimy soil of some depth or deep mud.

verb (used with object)

mired, miring 

1. to plunge and fix in mire; cause to stick fast in mire.

2. to involve; entangle.

3. to soil with mire; bespatter with mire.

verb (used without object)

mired, miring 

1. to sink and stick in mire or mud.

mire

/ maɪə /

noun

1. a boggy or marshy area

2. mud, muck, or dirt

verb

1. to sink or cause to sink in a mire

2. (tr) to make dirty or muddy

3. (tr) to involve, esp in difficulties

Other Word Forms

• miriness noun
• miry adjective
• mired adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mire¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old Norse mȳrr “bog”; cognate with Old English mēos moss

Word History and Origins

Origin of mire¹

C14: from Old Norse mӯrr; related to _moss

Example Sentences

The world's second-largest economy has in recent years been mired in a persistent domestic spending slump just as pressure on its export-reliant manufacturing sector intensifies.

Read more on Barron's

At a club mired in ownership and financial troubles, 12th was an admirable performance.

Read more on BBC

But with Tunisia now mired in public debt, the current government has backtracked on that promise and is planning a fivefold increase in fertiliser output at Gabes in a bid to boost hard currency earnings.

Read more on Barron's

But with many still mired in recovery and reconstruction efforts, Kunitz believes others may not be satisfied with the findings from authorities.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The talks have been mired in persistent disagreement over who should have to cut back on water and by how much.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bog down 
• embroil 
• enmesh 
• ensnare 
• entangle 
• flounder 
• implicate 
• involve 
• stick 
• tangle 
• trap