DEMUR • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Demur

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/dɪmˈər/ Listen

noun

Demur n. 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.""

verb

Demur 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."

2.

To cause delay to; to put off. (Obs.) "He demands a fee, And then demurs me with a vain delay."

Demur v. i. (past & past part. demurred; pres. part. demurring)

1.

To linger; to stay; to tarry. (Obs.) "Yet durst not demur nor abide upon the camp."

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. "Upon this rub, the English embassadors thought fit to demur."

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. "From the popular assertion that he was the smartest man in the world Gell-Mann was not predisposed to demur."

4.

(Law) To interpose a demurrer. See Demurrer, 2.

See images of 'Demur'

Etymology of 'Demur'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Demur" Quotes from Famous Books

... of his father, and assented to his wishes without demur, even when the great Fontevrault estates hung on his fidelity to a useless oath. Then he died, and I settled into the blank stupidity of my widowhood. I, who had known no master but my own sweet will, now found myself in a hundred ways restricted. I was ruled through Fred. ...

— The Continental Monthly, Vol 3 No 3, March 1863 - Devoted To Literature And National Policy • Various

... me to descend, conducted me through a couple of streets, and at length knocked at a door, where he left me still blindfolded. The door was opened; my business was inquired with great caution, and after some demur I was at length admitted. The handkerchief was now withdrawn from my eyes, and I found myself in a small chamber, surrounded by four men of not the most creditable appearance, and a young woman, who (it seems) had opened the ...

— The Bravo of Venice - A Romance • M. G. Lewis

... but she was also easily persuaded, particularly by her chosen and special chum, Eric. Accordingly, after a little further demur, she consented to go with her brother ...

— The Children of Wilton Chase • Mrs. L. T. Meade

... sword of Damocles Descending not by slow degrees, But suddenly, on the Landlord fell, Who blushing, and with much demur And many vain apologies, Plucking up heart, began to tell The ...

— The Complete Poetical Works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow • Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

... the bell—quick, but not loud—a cautious tinkle—a sort of warning metal whisper. Rosine darted from her cabinet and ran to open. The person she admitted stood with her two minutes in parley: there seemed a demur, a delay. Rosine came to the garden door, lamp in hand; she stood on the steps, lifting her ...

— Villette • Charlotte Bronte

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