demure
adjective
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L335929 on Wikidata ↗Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /dɪˈmjʊə(ɹ)/ / /dəˈmjɔː(ɹ)/ / /dɪˈmjɵː(ɹ)/
adj
Etymology: Inherited from Middle English demure, demwre, an abbreviation of Anglo-Norman de mure port (“with a mature demeanor”) (compare Old French meur from Latin mātūrus): *si il seyt coy e de mure port (Amur curteiz) (“he sits quietly and with a mature appearance”) * Documents illustrating the history of Scotland, CLV, 1306, Orders for the custody of Scottish prisoners, CLV: …et que eles soient de bon et meur port (“…with a good and mature demeanor”) * mss. Arundel, 220: ke cely qe vus amerez soyt de gentil manere, coy, de meure porture (“with a mature demeanor”) * (Monastic rule): de aunciene dame de meure porture ke pusse les plus ieuenes rieueler e endoctriner (“an old lady with a mature demeanor able to rule and educate the young girls”).
- Modest, quiet, reserved, or serious.
“She is a demure young lady.”
“Nan was very much delighted in her demure way, and that delight showed itself in her face and in her clear bright eyes.”
- Affectedly modest, decorous, or serious; making a show of gravity.
“Miss Lizzy, I have no doubt, would be as demure and coquettish, as if ten winters more had gone over her head.”
verb
Etymology: Inherited from Middle English demure, demwre, an abbreviation of Anglo-Norman de mure port (“with a mature demeanor”) (compare Old French meur from Latin mātūrus): *si il seyt coy e de mure port (Amur curteiz) (“he sits quietly and with a mature appearance”) * Documents illustrating the history of Scotland, CLV, 1306, Orders for the custody of Scottish prisoners, CLV: …et que eles soient de bon et meur port (“…with a good and mature demeanor”) * mss. Arundel, 220: ke cely qe vus amerez soyt de gentil manere, coy, de meure porture (“with a mature demeanor”) * (Monastic rule): de aunciene dame de meure porture ke pusse les plus ieuenes rieueler e endoctriner (“an old lady with a mature demeanor able to rule and educate the young girls”).
- To look demurely.
“Your Wife Octavia, with her modeſt eyes, / […] ſhall acquire no Honour / Demuring vpon me:”