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.

 

© Webster 1913.


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.

 

© Webster 1913.


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.

 

© Webster 1913.

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