The tat-puruṣa word apatham 'a bad road', is neuter.,
अपथमिदम् 'this (neuter) is a bad road' अपथानि गाहते मूढः 'the fool roams on wrong roads.' But अपथोदेशः a (masc.) 'a roadless country.' Here the compound being Bahuvrihi the word is masculine so; also अपथा नगरी ॥,