verb (used without object), de·murred, de·mur·ring.
- to make objection, especially on the grounds of scruples; take exception; object: They wanted to make him the treasurer, but he demurred.
- Law. to interpose a demurrer.
- Archaic. to linger; hesitate.
noun
- the act of making objection.
- an objection raised.
- hesitation.
- Law. Obsolete. a demurrer.
verb -murs, -murring or -murred (intr)
- to raise objections or show reluctance; object
- law to raise an objection by entering a demurrer
- archaic to hesitate; delay
noun also: demurral (dɪˈmʌrəl)
- the act of demurring
- an objection raised
- archaic hesitation
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.