demur
demur Lexical Profile
demur Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To raise doubts or objections or show reluctance.
"Normally she would have accepted the invitation immediately, but this time she demurred."
To enter a formal objection to an opponent's point or pleading as legally irrelevant or insufficient (in law).
"Defense counsel chose to demur to the indictment on the grounds that it failed to state an offense."
• noun
The action of raising objections or showing reluctance, most commonly used in the negative phrase 'without demur'.
"They accepted the revised contract terms without demur."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse the verb or noun 'demur' (to raise an objection or show reluctance) with the unrelated adjective 'demure' (reserved, modest, and shy).
• Rhymes for demur
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Old French 'demorer' (to linger or delay), from Latin 'demorari', formed from 'de-' (intensive prefix) and 'morari' (to delay), from 'mora' (a pause or delay).