| 释义 |
▪ I. demure, a. (n.)|dɪˈmjʊə(r)|
Also 4–5 dimuuir, 5 demeuer, -uere, -ewre, 6 -eure.
[A derived or extended form of meure, mewre, mure a., used in same sense, a. OF. meur, now mûr, ‘ripe, mature, mellow; also, discreet, considerate, aduised, setled, stayed’ (Cotgr. 1611). The nature and history of the prefixed de- are obscure.
(Palsgrave, 1530, has p. 841/1 ‘Sadly, wysly, demeurement’,—p. 841/2 ‘Soberly, sadly, meurement’; but demeurement is not otherwise known as French.)]
A. adj.
†1. Calm, settled, still. Obs.
1377Death Edw. III in Pol. Poems (Rolls) I. 216 Thouȝ the see were rouȝ, or elles dimuuir, Gode havenes that schip wold geete.
2. Of persons (and their bearing, speech, etc.): Sober, grave, serious; reserved or composed in demeanour. (Cf. history of sad.)
14..Epiph. in Tundale's Vis. 133 This Anna come demure and sad of chere. 1470–85Malory Arthur xiii. i, The yonge squyer..semely and demure as a douue. 1523Skelton Garl. Laurel 902 Demure Diana, womanly and sad. 1538Bale Thre Lawes 238 A face demure and sage. a1568R. Ascham Scholem. (Arb.) 53 If a yong ientleman be demeure and still of nature, they say, he is simple and lacketh witte. 1632Milton Penseroso 32 Come, pensive Nun, devout and pure, Sober, steadfast, and demure. 1653H. More Antid. Ath. iii. i. (1712) 87 Notwithstanding he fared no worse than the most demure and innocent. 1728–46Thomson Spring 485 Come with those downcast eyes, sedate and sweet, Those looks demure. 1835Marryat Jac. Faithf. xxiv, Her conduct was much more staid and demure. 1875M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 320 ‘Like an angel, but half⁓dressed’, thought the demure dons.
3. Affectedly or constrainedly grave or decorous; serious, reserved, or coy in a way that is not natural to the person or to one of his years or condition.
1693Shadwell Volunteers iii. i, This Gentleman, and his demure Psalm-singing Fellows. 1705Stanhope Paraphr. II. 166 Can they pursue the demure and secret Sinners, through all the intricate mazes of their Hypocrisy. 1735Thomson Liberty iv. 69 Hell's fiercest Fiend! of Saintly Brow demure. a1771Gray Death Favourite Cat 4 Demurest of the tabby kind, The pensive Selima. 1844Thirlwall Greece VIII. lxvi. 417 The threadbare mantle of its demure hypocrisy. 1876Black Madcap V. xix. 176, ‘I thought he was a friend of yours’, she said, with demure sarcasm.
†B. As n. Demure look or expression. Obs. rare.
1766J. Adams Diary 4 Nov. Wks. 1850 II. 200 He has an hypocritical demure on his face.
▪ II. † deˈmure, v. Obs. rare.
[f. prec. adj.]
1. intr. ? To look demurely, ‘to look with an affected modesty’ (J.). But cf. demur v. 3 b.
1606Shakes. Ant. & Cl. iv. xv. 29 Your Wife Octauia, with her modest eyes..shall acquire no Honour Demuring vpon me.
2. trans. To make demure.
1651Henshaw Daily Thoughts 187 (L.) Zeal mad, and voice demur'd with godly paint.
Hence deˈmured ppl. a.
1613Uncasing of Machivils Instr. 11 With demured looke wish them good speede.
▪ III. demure
obs. form of demur. |