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

the act of making objection.

an objection raised.

hesitation.

Law. Obsolete. a demurrer.

Nearby words

dempsey, dempster, demucosation, demulcent, demulsify, demur, demure, demurrage, demurral, demurrer, demuth

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

SYNONYMS FOR demur

5 scruple, qualm, misgiving.

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ANTONYMS FOR demur

1 agree, accede.

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Related forms

de·mur·ra·ble, adjectiveun·de·mur·ring, adjective

Can be confused

demur demure

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for demur

The intelligence officers at the bomb scene do not demur from this assessment.
After Beirut Bombing of Wissan al-Hassan, a Wary Calm in Lebanon|Jamie Dettmer|October 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST
And so it goes again: Democrats claim a knockout, Republicans demur.
The Flapdoodle Campaign|Megan McArdle|October 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Should you suggest something inspired or adventurous, many chefs will demur and revert to their been-there, drank-that pairing.
The Food Lover’s Guide to Wine: Perfect Pairings|David Lincoln Ross|January 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But if another, more prominent name were suggested for the position, Mrs. Clinton may demur.
How Obama Wooed Hillary|Nicholas Wapshott|November 14, 2008|DAILY BEAST

With all possible respect to Mr. Holmes, I venture to demur to this interpretation.
Evolution in Art|Alfred C. Haddon
And thereupon the Recorder asked me, “Do you then demur to the jurisdiction of the Court?”
The History of Thomas Ellwood|Thomas Ellwood
I waive all objections that it was not filed till after default was taken, and demur to it upon the merits.
The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Three|Abraham Lincoln
Many scholars, both Indian and European, will demur to the high place here assigned to the Advaita philosophy.
Hinduism And Buddhism, Volume II. (of 3)|Charles Eliot
Her eyebrows lifted a little, but she adopted the suggestion without other demur.
Alias The Lone Wolf|Louis Joseph Vance

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

demurrable, adjective

Word 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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012