/ məˈræs; NAmE / noun [ usually sing. ] ( formal )
1.
an unpleasant and complicated situation that is difficult to escape from
SYN web
2.
a dangerous area of low soft wet land
SYN bog , quagmire
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WORD ORIGIN
late 15th cent.: from Dutch moeras , alteration (by assimilation to moer moor) of Middle Dutch marasch , from Old French marais marsh, from medieval Latin mariscus .