demure Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way
    coy; overmodest.

WordNet

De*mure" adjective
Etymology
Perh. from OF. de murs (i. e., de bonnes murs of good manners); de of + murs, mours, meurs, mors, F. murs, fr. L. mores (sing. mos) manners, morals (see Moral); or more prob. fr. OF. meür, F. mûr mature, ripe (see Mature) in a phrase preceded by de, as de mûre conduite of mature conduct.
Definitions
  1. Of sober or serious mien; composed and decorous in bearing; of modest look; staid; grave.
    Sober, steadfast, and demure. Milton.
    Nan was very much delighted in her demure way, and that delight showed itself in her face and in her clear bright eyes. W. Black.
  2. Affectedly modest, decorous, or serious; making a show of gravity.
    A cat lay, and looked so demure, as if there had been neither life nor soul in her. L'Estrange.
    Miss Lizzy, I have no doubt, would be as demure and coquettish, as if ten winters more had gone over her head. Miss Mitford.
De*mure" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To look demurely. Obs. Shak.

Webster 1913