Bemired: meaning, definitions and examples
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bemired
[ bɪˈmaɪərd ]
stuck, bogged
To bemire someone or something is to cause them to become stuck or bogged down in mud or a similar substance. It often suggests getting ensnared in a difficult or undesirable situation.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The car was bemired in the swamp after heavy rain.
- He felt bemired in responsibilities that he couldn’t manage.
- The project was bemired by constant delays.
- Their plans were bemired in bureaucratic red tape.
Etymology
The word 'bemired' originates from the verb 'mire,' which itself has roots in the Old English word 'mīrian,' meaning to soil or to muddy. Over time, 'mire' evolved to describe being stuck in mud or a challenging situation, often figuratively. The prefix 'be-' is used to form transitive verbs meaning to cause to be in a certain state, hence 'bemire' means to cause to become mired. The use of 'bemired' became more common in English literature during the 19th century, often reflecting themes of entrapment or difficulty, both literally and metaphorically, in various contexts.