Part 155

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.

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.

De*mure" (?), a. [Perh. from OF. de murs (i. e., de bonnes murs of good manners); de of + murs, mours, meurs, mors, F. m&?;urs, 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.

De*mure", v. i. To look demurely. [Obs.] Shak.

De*mure"ly, adv. In a demure manner; soberly; gravely; -- now, commonly, with a mere show of gravity or modesty.

They . . . looked as demurely as they could; for 't was a hanging matter to laugh unseasonably.

Dryden.

<! p. 390 !>

De*mure"ness (d*mr"ns), n. The state of being demure; gravity; the show of gravity or modesty.

De*mur"i*ty (d*mr"*t), n. Demureness; also, one who is demure. Sir T. Browne.

De*mur"ra*ble (d*mûr"r*b'l), a. That may be demurred to. Stormonth.

De*mur"rage (?), n. [Cf. OF. demorage delay. See Demur.] (Law) (a) The detention of a vessel by the freighter beyond the time allowed in her charter party for loading, unloading, or sailing. (b) The allowance made to the master or owner of the ship for such delay or detention.