demur

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Verb 1.4 Noun 1.5 References

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Old French (cfr. French demeurer), from Latin^[1]demorari (to tarry) de- + morari, to delay.

[edit] Pronunciation

• enPR: dĭmûrʹ, IPA: /dɪˈmɜː/, SAMPA: /dI"m3:/

  Rhymes: -ɜː(r)

not as demure#Pronunciation

[edit] Verb

to demur (third-person singular simple present demurs, present participle demurring, simple past and past participle demurred)

1. (intransitive, obsolete) To linger; to stay; to tarry

   "Yet durst not demur nor abide upon the camp. - Nicols?

2. (intransitive) 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. (intransitive) To scruple or object; to take exception; to oppose; to balk

   I demur to that statement.

   The personnel demurred at the management's new scheme.

4. (intransitive, law) To interpose a demurrer. See demurrer.
5. (intransitive) To balk; to oppose.
6. (transitive, obsolete) To suspend judgment concerning; to doubt of or hesitate about

   The latter I demur, for in their looks Much reason, and in their actions, oft appears. - John Milton

7. (transitive, obsolete) To cause delay to; to put off

   He demands a fee, And then demurs me with a vain delay. - Quarles?

[edit] Noun

demur (plural demurs)

1. 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. - Alexander Pope

   She agreed to his request without demur.

[edit] References

• Notes:

1. ^ Etymology in Webster's dictionary