ENGLISH
REFERENCE

morass

n.
US //ˈmɔɹæs// UK //mɒɹˈæs// morass
Synonyms
Origin

From Dutch moeras (“marsh, swamp”), an alteration (with influence from Dutch moer (“moor”)) of a direct descendant of Middle Dutch marasch (“marsh”). The Middle Dutch word is a borrowing from Old French mareis, from Proto-West Germanic *marisk. Doublet of marish and marsh, and linked in part to moor. Compare quagmire.

© 2026 English Reference