Part 2928

<hw>De*mul"cent</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <fld>(Med.)</fld> <def>A substance, usually of a mucilaginous or oily nature, supposed to be capable of soothing an inflamed nervous membrane, or protecting i<?/ from irritation. Gum Arabic, glycerin, olive oil, etc., are demulcents.</def>

<h1>Demulsion</h1> <Xpage=389>

<hw>De*mul"sion</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>The act of soothing; that which soothes.</def>

<i>Feltham.</i>

<h1>Demur</h1> <Xpage=389>

<hw>De*mur"</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. i.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Demurred</er> <tt>(?)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Demurring</er>.]</wordforms> <ety>[OF. <ets>demurer</ets>, <ets>demorer</ets>, <ets>demourer</ets>, to linger, stay, F. <ets>demeurer</ets>, fr. L. <ets>demorari</ets>; <ets>de-</ets> + <ets>morari</ets> to delay, tarry, stay, <ets>mora</ets> delay; prob. originally, time for thinking, reflection, and akin to <ets>memor</ets> mindful. See <er>Memory</er>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>To linger; to stay; to tarry.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>Yet durst not <b>demur</b> nor abide upon the camp. <i>Nicols.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>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.</def>

<blockquote>Upon this rub, the English embassadors thought fit to <b>demur</b>. <i>Hayward.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>To scruple or object; to take exception; <as>as, I <ex>demur</ex> to that statement</as>.</def>

<p><b>4.</b> <fld>(Law)</fld> <def>To interpose a demurrer. See <er>Demurrer</er>, 2.</def>

<h1>Demur</h1> <Xpage=389>

<hw>De*mur"</hw>, <tt>v. t.</tt>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>To suspend judgment concerning; to doubt of or hesitate about.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>The latter I <b>demur</b>, for in their looks Much reason, and in their actions, oft appears. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To cause delay to; to put off.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>He demands a fee, And then <b>demurs</b> me with a vain delay. <i>Quarles.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Demur</h1> <Xpage=389>

<hw>De*mur"</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[OF. <ets>demor</ets>, <ets>demore</ets>, stay, delay. See <er>Demur</er>, <tt>v. i.</tt>]</ety> <def>Stop; pause; hesitation as to proceeding; suspense of decision or action; scruple.</def>

<blockquote>All my <b>demurs</b> but double his attacks; At last he whispers, "Do; and we go snacks." <i>Pope.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Demure</h1> <Xpage=389>

<hw>De*mure"</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[Perh. from OF. <ets>de murs</ets> (i. e., <ets>de bonnes murs</ets> of good manners); <ets>de</ets> of + <ets>murs</ets>, <ets>mours</ets>, <ets>meurs</ets>, <ets>mors</ets>, F. <ets>m<?/urs</ets>, fr. L. <ets>mores</ets> (sing. <ets>mos</ets>) manners, morals (see <er>Moral</er>); or more prob. fr. OF. <ets>me\'81r</ets>, F. <ets>m\'96r</ets> mature, ripe (see <er>Mature</er>) in a phrase preceded by <ets>de</ets>, <ets>as de m\'96re conduite</ets> of mature conduct.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>Of sober or serious mien; composed and decorous in bearing; of modest look; staid; grave.</def>

<blockquote>Sober, steadfast, and <b>demure</b>. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Nan was very much delighted in her <b>demure</b> way, and that delight showed itself in her face and in her clear bright eyes. <i>W. Black.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Affectedly modest, decorous, or serious; making a show of gravity.</def>

<blockquote>A cat lay, and looked so <b>demure</b>, as if there had been neither life nor soul in her. <i>L'Estrange.</i></blockquote>