Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Demur?

\De*mur"\, 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.] Yet durst not demur nor abide upon the camp. --Nicols. 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. --Hayward. 3. To scruple or object; to take exception; as, I demur to that statement. 4. (Law) To interpose a demurrer. See {Demurrer}, 2.
\De*mur"\, 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. --Milton. 2. To cause delay to; to put off. [Obs.] He demands a fee, And then demurs me with a vain delay. --Quarles.
\De*mur"\, n. [OF. demor, demore, stay, delay. See {Demur}, v. i.] 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.'' --Pope.