demurely

English

Etymology

From Middle English demurely; equivalent to demure +‎ -ly.

Adverb

demurely (comparative more demurely, superlative most demurely)

1. In a demure manner.
   • 1692, Roger L’Estrange, “ (please specify the fable number.) (please specify the name of the fable.)”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […], →OCLC:

     they spy'd a Cat upon a Shelf; that lay and look'd so Demurely, as if there had been neither Life nor Soul in her.

   • 1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 302:

     When the coffee was drunk, and the cup was put away with many thanks and blessings, she went demurely to the hearth, and pulled out a snuff-horn.

   • 1965, James Holledge, What Makes a Call Girl?, London: Horwitz Publications, page 102:

     `I am a hairdresser, but I was advertising as a model,' said Miss A demurely.

Middle English

Alternative forms

• demeuerly, demeurli, demuerely, demurli, demurly

Etymology

From demure (“demure”) +‎ -ly (adverbial suffix).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /dɛːˈmiu̯rliː/

Adverb

demurely

1. demurely, modestly

Descendants

• English: demurely

References

• “dēmūr(e)lī, adv.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.