demur

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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Yet durst not demur nor abide upon the camp. Nicols. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Upon this rub, the English embassadors thought fit to demur. Hayward. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To scruple or object; to take exception, especially on the basis of scruple or modesty; as, I demur to that statement; they wanted to make him president, but he demurred. [ 1913 Webster ]

From the popular assertion that he was the smartest man in the world Gell-Mann was not predisposed to demur. Timothy Ferris, in Coming of Age in the Milky Way (Doubleday, New York, 1989). [ PJC ]

4. (Law) To interpose a demurrer. See Demurrer, 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. demor, demore, stay, delay. See Demur, v. i. ] Stop; pause; hesitation as to proceeding; suspense of decision or action; scruple. [ 1913 Webster ]

All my demurs but double his attacks;
At last he whispers, “Do; and we go snacks.” Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To look demurely. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Perh. from OF. de murs (i. e., de bonnes murs of good manners); de of + murs, mours, meurs, mors, F. mœurs, 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sober, steadfast, and demure. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Affectedly modest, decorous, or serious; making a show of gravity. [ 1913 Webster ]

A cat lay, and looked so demure, as if there had been neither life nor soul in her. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

Miss Lizzy, I have no doubt, would be as demure and coquettish, as if ten winters more had gone over her head. Miss Mitford. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a demure manner; soberly; gravely; -- now, commonly, with a mere show of gravity or modesty. [ 1913 Webster ]

They . . . looked as demurely as they could; for 't was a hanging matter to laugh unseasonably. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being demure; gravity; the show of gravity or modesty. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Demureness; also, one who is demure. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. That may be demurred to. Stormonth. [ 1913 Webster ]