demureness
adjective, de·mur·er, de·mur·est.
1.
characterized by shyness and modesty; reserved.
2.
affectedly or coyly decorous, sober, or sedate.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English dem(e)ur(e) well-mannered, grave < Anglo-French demuré, past participle of demurer to demur; perhaps influenced by Old French mur, mëur grave, mature (< Latin matūrus)
1350–1400; Middle English dem(e)ur(e) well-mannered, grave < Anglo-French demuré, past participle of demurer to demur; perhaps influenced by Old French mur, mëur grave, mature (< Latin matūrus)
Related forms
de·mure·ly, adverb
de·mure·ness, noun
un·de·mure, adjective
un·de·mure·ly, adverb
un·de·mure·ness, noun
Antonyms
1, 2. indecorous.
1, 2. indecorous.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To demureness
00:10
Demureness
is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
demure (dɪˈmjʊə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | sedate; decorous; reserved |
| 2. | affectedly modest or prim; coy |
| [C14: perhaps from Old French demorer to delay, linger; perhaps influenced by meur ripe, | |
| de'murely | |
| —adv | |
| de'mureness | |
| —n | |
| demure (dɪˈmjʊə) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | sedate; decorous; reserved |
| 2. | affectedly modest or prim; coy |
| [C14: perhaps from Old French demorer to delay, linger; perhaps influenced by meur ripe, | |
| de'murely | |
| —adv | |
| de'mureness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
demure
late 14c., from O.Fr. meur "discreet," from L. maturus "mature." The de- in this word is of uncertain meaning.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
Nearby Words
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