Pronunciation: [mˈʌdkˈe͡ɪkt] (IPA) 
The word "mud-caked" is spelled with a "k" at the end instead of a "c" because it is formed by adding the past participle suffix "-ed" to the hyphenated compound word "mud-cake." In IPA phonetic transcription, "mud-caked" is pronounced /ˈmʌd keɪkt/, with stress on the first syllable. The "d" sound in "mud" and the "k" sound in "caked" are both pronounced separately, with a slight pause between them to indicate the hyphenation.
"Mud-caked" is an adjective used to describe an object or surface that is covered or saturated with a layer of thick, wet, and sticky mud. This term is formed by combining the words "mud," which refers to a mixture of water and soil or clay, and "caked," which implies a hardened or dried layer that has adhered to a surface.
The term "mud-caked" is commonly used to depict an excessive accumulation of mud on various items or areas. It suggests that the mud has accumulated to the extent that it forms a thick and solid layer, which may be difficult to remove or clean easily. Mud-caked surfaces are often visually characterized by a brown or dark-colored coating with a rough and uneven texture.
The condition of being mud-caked commonly occurs after prolonged exposure to muddy environments, such as muddy roads, trails, or construction sites. Objects that can become mud-caked include vehicles, shoes, boots, clothes, or even animals. It suggests an object or surface has experienced contact with mud and may imply a certain level of dirtiness, messiness, or difficulty to handle.
In summary, "mud-caked" refers to the state or condition of an object or surface that is heavily covered, coated, or encrusted with a solid layer of wet and sticky mud.
The word "mud-caked" is formed by combining the nouns "mud" and "cake" with the suffix "-ed".
The term "mud" can be traced back to Middle English, where it originated from the Old English word "mud(l)e". This Old English term can be derived from Proto-Germanic "mud-" or "mut-", ultimately stemming from the Proto-Indo-European root "*meud-" meaning "wet, sticky". From there, "mud" has retained its meaning of a thick, wet earthy substance, typically a mixture of soil, clay, and water.
The noun "cake" comes from Middle English "cake" or "kaak", which can be traced back to the Old Norse word "kaka". This Old Norse term might have been influenced by the Proto-Germanic word "*kōkô", meaning "cake" or "pastry".
