demur Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (law) a formal objection to an opponent's pleadings
    demurral; demurrer.
  2. verb take exception to
    except.
    • he demurred at my suggestion to work on Saturday
  3. verb enter a demurrer

WordNet

De*mur" intransitive verb
Etymology
OF. demurer, demorer, demourer, to linger, stay, F. demeurer, fr. L. demorari; de- + morari to delay, tarry, stay, mora delay; prob. originally, time for thinking, reflection, and akin to memor mindful. See Memory.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Demurred ; present participle & verbal noun Demurring
Definitions
  1. To linger; to stay; to tarry. Obs.
    Yet durst not demur nor abide upon the camp. Nicols.
  2. To delay; to pause; to suspend proceedings or judgment in view of a doubt or difficulty; to hesitate; to put off the determination or conclusion of an affair.
    Upon this rub, the English embassadors thought fit to demur. Hayward.
  3. To scruple or object; to take exception; as, I demur to that statement.
  4. (Law) To interpose a demurrer. See Demurrer, 2.
De*mur" transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To suspend judgment concerning; to doubt of or hesitate about. Obs.
    The latter I demur, for in their looks Much reason, and in their actions, oft appears. Milton.
  2. To cause delay to; to put off. Obs.
    He demands a fee, And then demurs me with a vain delay. Quarles.
De*mur" noun
Etymology
OF. demor, demore, stay, delay. See Demur, v. i.
Definitions
  1. Stop; pause; hesitation as to proceeding; suspense of decision or action; scruple.
    All my demurs but double his attacks; At last he whispers, "Do; and we go snacks." Pope.

Webster 1913