demur









demur


verb (used without object), de·murred, de·mur·ring.

  1. to make objection, especially on the grounds of scruples; take exception; object: They wanted to make him the treasurer, but he demurred.
  2. Law. to interpose a demurrer.
  3. Archaic. to linger; hesitate.

noun

  1. the act of making objection.
  2. an objection raised.
  3. hesitation.
  4. Law. Obsolete. a demurrer.

verb -murs, -murring or -murred (intr)

  1. to raise objections or show reluctance; object
  2. law to raise an objection by entering a demurrer
  3. archaic to hesitate; delay

noun also: demurral (dɪˈmʌrəl)

  1. the act of demurring
  2. an objection raised
  3. archaic hesitation
v.

c.1200, “to linger, tarry, delay,” from Old French demorer “delay, retard,” from Latin demorari “to linger, loiter, tarry,” from de- (see de-) + morari “to delay,” from mora “a pause, delay” (see moratorium). Main modern sense of “raise objections” is first attested 1630s. Related: Demurred; demurring.

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