The word "bemire" means to make something dirty or muddy. Its phonetic transcription is /bɪˈmaɪər/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound, similar to the word "sit." The second syllable has the long "i" sound, like the word "ire." The stress is on the second syllable. Knowing the correct phonetic transcription helps to ensure accurate pronunciation and spelling of the word, which can be useful for writers, readers, and English language learners.
Bemire is a transitive verb that refers to the act of making something or someone dirty or muddy, particularly by covering them with mud or filth. The term is drawn from the combination of two words: “be-,” which means to surround or cover with, and “mire,” which denotes wet, sticky, or dirty earth or mud. Bemire often implies an intentional or unintentional action that results in someone or something becoming soiled, unclean, or disheveled. It can be used literally, describing the act of physically dirtying an object or person, or metaphorically, indicating the tarnishing or degrading of someone's reputation or character.
The action of bemiring typically occurs in situations where there is mud or other viscous substances involved. For instance, a person might bemire their shoes by trudging through a muddy field, or a careless driver could bemire the exterior of their vehicle by driving through a puddle. Alternatively, the term can be used metaphorically to describe situations where someone's reputation, honor, or moral standing has been compromised or sullied, as if they were figuratively covered in filth or mud.
Overall, bemire showcases the process of dirtying or muddying, whether in a literal or figurative sense, representing a negative or undesirable outcome caused by the unwanted introduction of dirt, mud, or unethical behavior.
To soil by passing through dirty places.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "bemire" comes from the combination of two Old English elements: "be-" and "mire".
The prefix "be-" in Old English often functions as an intensifying or causative element, adding a sense of completeness or thoroughness to the verb it combines with. In the case of "bemire", "be-" serves to intensify the action of "mire".
The word "mire" itself can be traced back to the Old English word "myre", which referred to a boggy or swampy area of wet or soft mud. Over time, "mire" extended its meaning to encompass any kind of muddy or boggy ground.
Combining "be-" with "mire" resulted in "bemire", which means to cause or become covered in or stuck in mud, or to make something dirty or tarnished.