Demur
(De*mur") v. i. [imp. & p. p. Demurred ; p. pr. & vb. n. Demurring.] [OF. demurer, demorer,
demourer, to linger, stay, F. demeurer, fr. L. demorari; de- + morari to delay, tarry, stay, mora delay; prob.
originally, time for thinking, reflection, and akin to memor mindful. See Memory.]
1. To linger; to stay; to tarry. [Obs.]
Yet durst not demur nor abide upon the camp.
Nicols. 2. To delay; to pause; to suspend proceedings or judgment in view of a doubt or difficulty; to hesitate; to
put off the determination or conclusion of an affair.
Upon this rub, the English embassadors thought fit to demur.
Hayward. 3. To scruple or object; to take exception; as, I demur to that statement.
4. (Law) To interpose a demurrer. See Demurrer, 2.
Demur
(De*mur"), v. t.
1. To suspend judgment concerning; to doubt of or hesitate about. [Obs.]
The latter I demur, for in their looks
Much reason, and in their actions, oft appears.
Milton. 2. To cause delay to; to put off. [Obs.]
He demands a fee,
And then demurs me with a vain delay.
Quarles. Demur
(De*mur"), n. [OF. demor, demore, stay, delay. See Demur, v. i.] Stop; pause; hesitation as
to proceeding; suspense of decision or action; scruple.
All my demurs but double his attacks;
At last he whispers, "Do; and we go snacks."
Pope. Demure
(De*mure") a. [Perh. from OF. de murs (i. e., de bonnes murs of good manners); de of +
murs, mours, meurs, mors, F. murs, fr. L. mores (sing. mos) manners, morals (see Moral); or more
prob. fr. OF. meür, F. mûr mature, ripe (see Mature) in a phrase preceded by de, as de mûre conduite
of mature conduct.]
1. Of sober or serious mien; composed and decorous in bearing; of modest look; staid; grave.
Sober, steadfast, and demure.
Milton.
Nan was very much delighted in her demure way, and that delight showed itself in her face and in her
clear bright eyes.
W. Black. 2. Affectedly modest, decorous, or serious; making a show of gravity.
A cat lay, and looked so demure, as if there had been neither life nor soul in her.
L'Estrange.
Miss Lizzy, I have no doubt, would be as demure and coquettish, as if ten winters more had gone over
her head.
Miss Mitford. Demure
(De*mure"), v. i. To look demurely. [Obs.] Shak.
