demur
[ dih-mur ]
/ dɪˈmɜr /
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verb (used without object), de·murred, de·mur·ring.
to make objection, especially on the grounds of scruples; take exception; object: They wanted to make him the treasurer, but he demurred.
Law. to interpose a demurrer.
Archaic. to linger; hesitate.
noun
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!
Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of demur
1175–1225; Middle English demuren<Anglo-French demurer,Old French demorer<Latin dēmorārī to linger, equivalent to dē-de- + morārī to delay, derivative of mora delay
OTHER WORDS FROM demur
de·mur·ra·ble, adjectiveun·de·mur·ring, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH demur
demur , demureWords nearby demur
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for demur
British Dictionary definitions for demur
demur
/ (dɪˈmɜː) /
verb -murs, -murring or -murred (intr)
to raise objections or show reluctance; object
law to raise an objection by entering a demurrer
archaic to hesitate; delay
noun also: demurral (dɪˈmʌrəl)
the act of demurring
an objection raised
archaic hesitation
Derived forms of demur
demurrable, adjectiveWord Origin for demur
C13: from Old French demorer, from Latin dēmorārī to loiter, linger, from morārī to delay, from mora a delay
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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