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demure

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de⋅mure

  [di-myoor]
–adjective, -mur⋅er, -mur⋅est.
1. characterized by shyness and modesty; reserved.
2. affectedly or coyly decorous, sober, or sedate.
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Origin:
1350–1400; ME dem(e)ur(e) well-mannered, grave < AF demuré, ptp. of demurer to demur; perh. influenced by OF mur, mëur grave, mature (< L matūrus)

Related forms:
de⋅mure⋅ly, adverb
de⋅mure⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. retiring. See modest.

Antonyms:
1, 2. indecorous.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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de·mure   (dĭ-myŏŏr')   
adj.   de·mur·er, de·mur·est

  1. Modest and reserved in manner or behavior.

  2. Affectedly shy, modest, or reserved. See Synonyms at shy1.


[Middle English, probably from Anglo-Norman (influenced by Old French mur, meur, mature, serious), past participle of demurer, to delay, wait; see demur.]
de·mure'ly adv., de·mure'ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

demure  (adj.)
1377, from O.Fr. meur "discreet," from L. maturus "mature." The de- in this word is of uncertain meaning.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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