mud

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Soft, wet earth.

   The children came home covered in mud after playing in the rain.

2. 2
   noun

   Insulting or false remarks, especially between opponents.

   The election turned ugly as both parties threw mud at each other.

3. 3
   verb

   To cover or coat something with mud.

   The workers mudded the walls of the old hut.

From Middle English mud, mudde, mode, probably a borrowing from Middle Dutch mod, modde or Middle Low German mudde, ultimately from Proto-Germanic *mud-, *mudra- (“mud”), perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *mū-, *mew- (“moist”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian Mudde (“mud”), Middle High German mot (“mud”), Swedish modd (“slush”). Compare also suffixed variants English mother (“vinegar-forming sediment in alcohol”), West Frisian modder (“mud”), Dutch modder (“mud”), German Low German Mudder (“mud”), German Moder (“moldiness, mildew, decay”), Danish mudder (“mud”). Alternative etymology suggests th…

Topics