v. t. 1. To suspend judgment concerning; to doubt of or hesitate about. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The latter I demur, for in their looks
Much reason, and in their actions, oft appears. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To cause delay to; to put off. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

He demands a fee,
And then demurs me with a vain delay. Quarles. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. demor, demore, stay, delay. See Demur, v. i. ] Stop; pause; hesitation as to proceeding; suspense of decision or action; scruple. [ 1913 Webster ]

All my demurs but double his attacks;
At last he whispers, “Do; and we go snacks.” Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Demurred p. pr. & vb. n. Demurring. ] [ OF. demurer, demorer, demourer, to linger, stay, F. demeurer, fr. L. demorari; de- + morari to delay, tarry, stay, mora delay; prob. originally, time for thinking, reflection, and akin to memor mindful. See Memory. ] 1. To linger; to stay; to tarry. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Yet durst not demur nor abide upon the camp. Nicols. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Upon this rub, the English embassadors thought fit to demur. Hayward. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

From the popular assertion that he was the smartest man in the world Gell-Mann was not predisposed to demur. Timothy Ferris, in Coming of Age in the Milky Way (Doubleday, New York, 1989). [ PJC ]

4. (Law) To interpose a demurrer. See Demurrer, 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To look demurely. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Perh. from OF. de murs (i. e., de bonnes murs of good manners); de of + murs, mours, meurs, mors, F. mœurs, 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sober, steadfast, and demure. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Affectedly modest, decorous, or serious; making a show of gravity. [ 1913 Webster ]

A cat lay, and looked so demure, as if there had been neither life nor soul in her. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

Miss Lizzy, I have no doubt, would be as demure and coquettish, as if ten winters more had gone over her head. Miss Mitford. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a demure manner; soberly; gravely; -- now, commonly, with a mere show of gravity or modesty. [ 1913 Webster ]

They . . . looked as demurely as they could; for 't was a hanging matter to laugh unseasonably. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being demure; gravity; the show of gravity or modesty. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Demureness; also, one who is demure. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. That may be demurred to. Stormonth. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The claim for demurrage ceases as soon as the ship is cleared out and ready for sailing. M‘Culloch. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The term is also applied to similar delays and allowances in land carriage, by wagons, railroads, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]