SuaviloquyToday’s word

muddy

Muddy, a. [Compar. Muddier; superl. Muddiest.]

1. Abounding in mud; besmeared or dashed with mud; as, a muddy road or path; muddy boots.

2. Turbid with mud; as, muddy water.

3. Consisting of mud or earth; gross; impure. This muddy vesture of decay. Shak.

4. Confused, as if turbid with mud; cloudy in mind; dull; stupid; also, immethodical; incoherent; vague. Cold hearts and muddy understandings. Burke. Dost think I am so muddy, so unsettled. Shak.

1 more senses

5. Not clear or bright. Swift.

1 other Webster entry under this spelling

Muddy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Muddied; p. pr. & vb. n. Muddying.]

1. To soil with mud; to dirty; to render turbid.

2. Fig.: To cloud; to make dull or heavy. Grew.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for muddy; he lists it under obscure.

Where he writes about it:

That which is complicated is likely to be obscure, but that may be obscure which is not at all complicated and scarcely complex, as a muddy pool. — from obscure