morass etymology

Etymology:

The word "morass" comes from the Old French word "marais," which likely derives from the Frankish word "marisk," meaning "marsh" or "swamp."

Meaning and Origin:

A morass is a low-lying, waterlogged area of land that is often covered in thick vegetation and difficult to traverse. Morasses can form in various environments, including wetlands, floodplains, and coastal areas. They are typically characterized by poor drainage, high humidity, and an abundance of plant and animal life.

The term "morass" has been used in English since the 14th century to describe difficult and treacherous terrain. It has also been used figuratively to refer to a state of confusion, uncertainty, or difficulty. For example, someone might describe a complex situation as a "morass of regulations."

Usage in Literature:

The word "morass" has been used by many authors throughout history, including:

  • William Shakespeare: "And back to Athens shall the lovers wend, With league whose date till death shall never end. Whiles I, in this wild watery morass, Do lie esteem'd as curs." - A Midsummer Night's Dream
  • Edgar Allan Poe: "Down into the darkness of the grave gently they sank, down into the silence of the tomb ... And the wide Hinnom, from its valley sides, sent back a sullen echo from its granite walls and its sullen waters to the night, while the locust shrilled from the rocky slopes." - The Fall of the House of Usher
  • J.R.R. Tolkien: "And they journeyed into the Morass of Seregon. There never walked a traveller in that desert that did not lose the straight way and go astray." - The Lord of the Rings

Overall, "morass" is a term that evokes a sense of difficulty, entanglement, and uncertainty. It can be used to describe both physical and figurative challenges.

morass relate terms

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    Etymology The word marish is derived from the Old English word merisc which means m

  • marsh

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  • moor

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  • cormorant

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  • mare

    Etymology Old English mare feminine noun nightmare goblin Proto Germanic marōn

  • marina

    Etymology Latin marinus of the sea Greek μάρινος of the sea Meaning

  • marinate

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  • marine

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  • mariner

    Etymology The word mariner comes from the Old French word marinier which in turn de

  • maritime

    Etymology The word maritime is derived from the Latin word maritimus which means b

  • marsh

    Etymology The word marsh comes from the Old English word mersc which originally mea

  • mere

    Etymology Sanskrit मेर mer mountain Meaning Sanskrit A mythical mountai

  • Merlin

    Etymology The name Merlin is of Welsh origin and is thought to be derived from two poss

  • mermaid

    Etymology The word mermaid is derived from two Old English words Mere meaning s

  • merman

    Etymology The word merman is derived from two words mere Middle English for lake

  • meerschaum

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  • meerkat

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  • morass

    Etymology The word morass comes from the Old French word marais which likely derive

  • Muriel

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  • rosemary

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  • submarine

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  • ultramarine

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  • Weimar

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  • quagmire

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  • slack

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  • Everglades

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  • swamp

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  • rime

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  • Amazon

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  • invention

    Etymology The word invention is derived from the Latin word invenire meaning to com

  • adaptation

    Etymology From Latin adaptatio From adaptare meaning to fit Meaning The act