bog

English

/bɔɡ/, /bɑɡ/, /bɒɡ/

noun
Definitions
  • (Originally) An area of decayed vegetation (particularly sphagnum moss) which forms a wet spongy ground too soft for walking; a marsh or swamp.
  • (figuratively) Confusion, difficulty, or any other thing or place that impedes progress in the manner of such areas.
  • (uncountable) The acidic soil of such areas, principally composed of peat; marshland, swampland.
  • (UK) A place to defecate: originally specifically a latrine or outhouse but now used for any toilet.
  • (AU) An act or instance of defecation.
  • (US) A little elevated spot or clump of earth, roots, and grass, in a marsh or swamp.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English bog derived from Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic bogach (boggy ground, soft) derived from Old Irish bog (soft) derived from Proto-Celtic *buggos (tender, soft) derived from Old Irish -ach derived from Proto-Celtic *-ākos.

Origin

Proto-Celtic

*-ākos

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms