[mire] n [ME, fr. ON myrr; akin to OE mos marsh--more at moss] (14c) 1: wet spongy earth (as of a bog or marsh)
2: heavy often deep mud or slush
3: a troublesome or intractable situation "found themselves in a ~ of debt" -- miry adj
[2]mire vb mired ; mir.ing vt (15c) 1 a: to cause to stick fast in or as if in mire b: to hamper or hold back as if by mire: entangle
2: to cover or soil with mire ~ vi: to stick or sink in mire