Bemired

/bɪˈmaɪrd/ adjective

Definition

Covered with mire; muddy, dirty, or covered in swamp; figuratively, degraded or disgraced.

Etymology

Past participle of 'bemire,' describing something or someone that has been thoroughly covered with mud or mire.

Kelly Says

The beauty of 'bemired' is its double meaning—a literally muddy knight returning from battle is also metaphorically soiled, disgraced by the violence he's witnessed. Medieval poets loved this kind of overlap.

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