demurn.
/dɪˈməː/ a. Delay, lingering, waiting. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > [noun]
longingeOE
bideOE
abodec1225
bodea1300
demura1300
dwella1300
litinga1300
delayc1300
delayingc1300
demurrancec1300
but honec1325
without ensoignec1325
abidec1330
dretchingc1330
dwellingc1330
essoinc1330
tarrying1340
litea1350
delaymenta1393
respitea1393
oversettinga1398
delayancea1400
delitea1400
lingeringa1400
stounding?a1400
sunyiea1400
targea1400
train?a1400
deferring14..
dilation14..
dayc1405
prolongingc1425
spacec1430
adjourningc1436
retardationc1437
prolongation?a1439
training1440
adjournment1445
sleuthingc1450
tarry1451
tarriance1460
prorogation1476
oversetc1485
tarriage1488
debaid1489
supersedement1492
superseding1494
off-putting1496
postponing1496
tract1503
dilating1509
sparinga1513
hafting1519
sufferance1523
tracking1524
sticking1525
stay1530
pause1532
protraction1535
tracting1535
protract of time1536
protracting1540
postposition1546
staying1546
procrastination1548
difference1559
surceasing1560
tardation1568
detract1570
detracting1572
tarryment1575
rejourning1578
detraction1579
longness1579
rejournment1579
holding1581
reprieving1583
cunctation1585
retarding1585
retardance1586
temporizing1587
by and by1591
suspensea1592
procrastinatinga1594
tardance1595
linger1597
forslacking1600
morrowing1602
recess1603
deferment1612
attendance1614
put-off1623
adjournal1627
fristing1637
hanging-up1638
retardment1640
dilatoriness1642
suspension1645
stickagea1647
tardidation1647
transtemporation1651
demurragea1656
prolatation1656
prolation1656
moration1658
perendination1658
offput1730
retardure1751
postponement1757
retard1781
traverse1799
tarrowing1832
mañana1845
temporization1888
procrastinativeness1893
deferral1895
traa dy liooar1897
stalling1927
heel-tapping1949
off-put1970
a1300 Floriz & Bl. 591 Blauncheflur heo atwist Þat he makede so longe demure [v.r. demoere: rhyme ifere].
c1320 Sir Beues 125 Theder wardes he gan gon Withouten demere.
1529 in Burnet Hist. Ref. II. 97 His Highness had cause..to marvel of your long demor, and lack of expedition.
1661 E. Hickeringill Jamaica 51 Timely alarum'd by Jacksons Demurres, at the Harbours mouth, for four days Space.
1675 in O. Airy Essex Papers (1890) I. 311 Causing a most unnecessary demurre.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > [noun]
wonningc960
bewistc1200
livingc1350
lodging1362
habitationc1374
indwellinga1382
dwellingc1384
inhabitinga1400
bidingc1400
inhabitationc1400
residencec1405
mansiona1425
winningc1425
demur1444
abodec1450
resianty1467
demurrance1509
resiance1566
place-being1567
residency1579
resiancy1580
commorancy1586
residing1587
inhabitance1588
abodement1592
commorance1594
habit1603
commoration1623
inwoning1647
inhabitancy1681
habitancy1792
domicile1835
occupying1849
abidal1850
tenancy1856
1444 in Coll. Hist. Staffs. (1891) XII. 318 During the tyme of his demure in the presence of the seid Erle.
1526 Eltham Ordinances in Coll. Ordinances Royal Househ. (1790) 159 In his demurre or passing from place to place.
1532–3 Act 24 Hen. VIII c. 13 Comynge into the Kynges realme..and not minded to make longe or continual demoyre in the same.
1673 J. Ray Observ. Journey Low-countries 378 We saw this Town only in transitu, but it merited a little demurr.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > absence of change, changelessness > lasting quality, permanence > [noun] > continuance, duration
arrestc1386
continuance1393
tenor1398
lasta1400
lastinga1400
abiding?a1425
demur1533
remanence1558
subsistence1600
continualness1611
incessancy?1615
continuancy1621
uncessantness1627
mansion1637
subsistency1642
remanency1647
unintermissiveness1651
indesinency1657
continuation1664
unintermission1681
incessantness1727
unceasingness1727
unintermittingness1866
1533 in J. Strype Eccl. Memorials (1721) I. xx. 148 Neither unjust matrymony shall have his unjust and incestuous demoure and continuance, as by delayes to Rome it is wont to have.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > [noun]
yea-and-nayc1384
vacillationc1400
titteringa1413
stackeringc1440
wondingc1440
fluctuationc1450
waver1519
mammering1532
uncertainty1548
wavering1548
to and fro1553
suspense1560
staggering1565
suspension1568
mammery1578
demur1581
branle1591
dilly-dally1592
hesitance1601
irresolution1601
uncertainness1601
undecision1611
waveringness1614
hesitancy1617
unsettledness1619
hesitation1622
unresolvednessa1626
doubleness of minda1628
wavinga1628
swagging1636
poise1637
mambling1640
stickagea1647
vacillancy1668
whifflinga1677
hovering1679
unresolve1679
irresoluteness1686
shilly-shally1755
indecisiona1763
undecisiveness1779
indecisiveness1793
oscillation1798
flexility1815
shilly-shallying1842
swaying1850
Hamletism1852
teeter1855
havering1866
off and on1875
dilly-dallying1879
double-mindedness1881
hesitatingness1890
dither1958
1581 T. Howell His Deuises sig. I.iijv No doubtfull drift whereon demurre dependes.
1677 W. Hubbard Narr. Troubles with Indians New-Eng. ii. 49 They were upon some demurre, whether to march directly toward Ossapy.
1683 W. Temple Mem. in Wks. (1731) I. 379 He did not expect any Demurr upon such an Offer.
1824 C. Lamb in London Mag. Nov. 482/2 You were positively at a demur what you did, or did not see.
3. The act of demurring; an objection raised or exception taken to a proposed course of action, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > objection > [noun]
objectionc1410
reprobation?c1500
protesting1582
demurring1593
exceptance1603
exceptiona1604
demur1639
demurral1808
demurrage1822
objectation1886
nay-saying1893
1639 J. Mayne Citye Match iv. ii Sister, 'tis so projected, therefore make No more demurs.
1770 J. Langhorne & W. Langhorne tr. Plutarch Lives (1879) I. 154/2 Camillus..invented demurs and pretences of delay.
1791 F. Burney Diary 4 June (1842) V. 208 He then said it was necessary to drink the Queen's health. The gentlemen here made no demur.
1839 C. Dickens Nicholas Nickleby xxii. 212 After a little demur he accepted the offer.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > pleading > [noun] > a pleading or plea > demurrer
demurrer1547
demura1575
demurring1593
a1575 N. Harpsfield Treat. Divorce Henry VIII (1878) (modernized text) 36 The adversaries..made thereupon..a special demurre.
1589 Sir T. Smith's Common-welth (rev. ed.) ii. xiii. 71 If they can not agree, then is the matter referred to a demurre in the Exchequer chamber.
1660 T. Willsford Scales Commerce & Trade A vj b To procrastinate with Demurs, or Fines and Recoveries without end.
1726 J. Swift Cadenus & Vanessa 9 But with Rejoinders and Replies..Demurr, Imparlance, and Essoign, The Parties ne'er cou'd Issue join.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
demurv.
/dɪˈməː/ a. intransitive. To linger, tarry, wait; figurative to dwell upon something. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (intransitive)]
geleOE
studegieOE
abideOE
to do in or a (= on) fristc1175
dwellc1175
demurc1230
targec1250
dretcha1325
tarrya1375
sojourn1377
defer1382
letc1385
hinderc1386
blina1400
delay?a1400
honea1400
litea1400
overbidea1400
prolongc1425
supersede1433
hoverc1440
tarrowc1480
sunyie1488
stay?a1500
sleep1519
slack1530
protract1540
linger1548
procrastinate1548
slackc1560
slug1565
jauk1568
temporize1579
detract1584
longering1587
sit1591
prorogue1593
to time it out1613
to lie out1640
crastinate1656
taigle17..
to hang fire1782
to hold off1790
to hang it on1819
prevaricate1854
to lie over1856
to tread water1942
to drag one's feet1946
c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 123 Ah ȝef ich hihi forðward demeori ȝe þe lengre.
c1300 K. Alis. 7295 He n'ul nought that ye demere [rhyme dere].
1550 T. Nicolls tr. Thucydides Hist. Peloponnesian War iii. i. f. lxxiii Yet durst they not demoure nor abyde vpon the campe.
1559 W. Baldwin et al. Myrroure for Magistrates James I. f. xxxixv Take hede ye demurre not vpon them.
1595 R. Southwell St. Peter's Complaint 19 But ô, how long demurre I on his eyes.
1604 T. Wright Passions of Minde (new ed.) v. 213 I demurre too long in these speculative discourses.
1653 T. Urquhart tr. F. Rabelais 1st Bk. Wks. ii. 13 If that our looks on it demurre.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > [verb (intransitive)]
wonc725
erdec893
siteOE
liveeOE
to make one's woningc960
through-wonOE
bigc1175
walkc1225
inwonea1300
lenda1300
lenga1300
lingera1300
erthec1300
stallc1315
lasta1325
lodge1362
habit?a1366
breeda1375
inhabitc1374
indwella1382
to have one's mansionc1385
to take (up) one's inn (or inns)a1400
keepc1400
repairc1400
to have (also hold, keep, make) one's residencec1405
to hold (also keep, make, take, etc.) one's mansiona1425
winc1425
to make (one's) residence1433
resort1453
abidec1475
use1488
remaina1500
demur1523
to keep one's house1523
occupy1523
reside1523
enerdc1540
kennel1552
bower1596
to have (also hold, keep, make) residence1597
subsist1618
mansiona1638
tenant1650
fastena1657
hospitate1681
wont1692
stay1754
to hang out1811
home1832
habitate1866
1523 in State Papers Henry VIII (1836) IV. 34 She cannot demore there without extreme daunjur and peril.
1536 Act 28 Hen. VIII c. 10 Any person..dwellyng, demurryng, inhabitinge or resiant within this realme.
1550 T. Nicolls tr. Thucydides Hist. Peloponnesian War iii. i. f. lxxii The sayde Peloponesyans demoured in that lande.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > have duration [verb (intransitive)] > endure, remain, persist, or continue
bidec893
lastOE
through-wonOE
ylasta1000
standOE
runOE
lastlOE
beleavec1200
abidec1275
cleavec1275
durec1275
dwell13..
endurec1386
perseverec1390
continuec1400
contunec1400
tarrya1450
remainc1455
perdure?a1475
rest1474
permanec1485
succeed1486
perpetuate1530
persist1531
demur1547
perduratea1558
weara1568
to hold it out1585
to hold out1585
abye1590
contain1592
live1592
perennate1623
to draw overa1700
exist1754
linger1764
to hang it out1939
1547 J. Hooper Declar. Christe iii, in Early Writings (1843) 21 This defence..shall demour for ever till this church be glorified.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (transitive)]
forslowc888
eldc897
forsita940
gele971
lengOE
drilla1300
delayc1300
onfrestc1300
tarryc1320
jornc1330
dretchc1380
defer1382
forbida1387
to put offa1387
to put (also set) (something) in (or on) delaya1393
dilate1399
fordrawa1400
to put overc1410
latch?c1422
adjournc1425
prolongc1425
proloynec1425
rejournc1425
to put in respite1428
sleuthc1430
respitea1450
prorogue1453
refer1466
sleep1470
supersede1482
respectc1487
postpone1496
overseta1500
respett1500
enjourna1513
relong1523
retract1524
tarde1524
track1524
to fode forth1525
tract1527
protract1528
further1529
to make stay of1530
surcease1530
prorogate1534
to fay upon longc1540
linger1543
retard?1543
slake1544
procrastine1548
reprieve1548
remit1550
suspense1556
leave1559
shiftc1562
suspend1566
procrastinate1569
dally1574
post1577
to hold off1580
drift1584
loiter1589
postpose1598
to take one's (own) timea1602
flag1602
slug1605
elong1610
belay1613
demur1613
tardya1616
to hang up1623
frist1637
disjourn1642
future1642
off1642
waive1653
superannuate1655
perendinate1656
stave1664
detard1675
remora1686
to put back1718
withhold1726
protract1737
to keep over1847
to hold over1853
laten1860
to lay over1885
hold1891
back-burner1975
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage ii. xviii. 174 Whose judgement is demurred until the day of Reconciliation.
1635 F. Quarles Emblemes iv. xi. 226 The Lawyer..then demurres me with a vaine delay.
1682 T. D'Urfey Butler's Ghost 69 I swear.. Henceforth to take a rougher course, And, what you would demur to force.
a. intransitive. To hesitate; to delay or suspend action; to pause in uncertainty. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > be irresolute or vacillate [verb (intransitive)]
haltc825
flecchec1300
waverc1315
flickerc1325
wag1387
swervea1400
floghter1521
stacker1526
to be of (occasionally in) many (also divers) minds1530
wave1532
stagger1533
to hang in the wind1536
to waver as, like, with the wind1548
mammer1554
sway1563
dodge1568
erch1584
suspend1585
float1598
swag1608
hoverc1620
hesitate1623
vacillate1623
fluctuate1634
demur1641
balance1656
to be at shall I, shall I (not)1674
to stand shall I, shall I1674
to go shill-I shall-I1700
to stand at shilly-shally1700
to act, to keep (upon), the volanta1734
whiffle1737
dilly-dally1740
to be in (also of, occasionally on) two minds (also in twenty minds, in (also of) several minds, etc.)1751
oscillate1771
shilly-shally1782
dacker1817
librate1822
humdrum1825
swing1833
(to stand or sit) on or upon the fence1848
to back and fill1854
haver1866
wobble1867
shaffle1873
dicker1879
to be on the weigh-scales1886
waffle1894
to think twice1898
to teeter on the brink1902
dither1908
vagulate1918
pern1920
1641 J. Milton Reason Church-govt. 30 This is all we get by demurring in Gods service.
1654 R. Codrington tr. Justinus Hist. 418 He found the King to demur upon it.
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. ii. 72 King Edwine demurred to embrace Christianity.
1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 516 The Delphians demurring, whether they should accept it or no.
1743 J. Davidson tr. Virgil Æneid viii. 261 You need not demur to challenge.
1778 F. Burney Evelina II. xix. 177 You are the first lady who ever made me even demur upon this subject.
1818 W. Taylor in Monthly Rev. 87 534 All the Yorkists could thus co-operate, without demurring between their rightful sovereigns.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > doubt, be uncertain [verb (intransitive)]
tweonc897
to be at or in weeningc1275
doubtc1325
dreadc1400
vary1477
swither1535
stay1583
to have or make scruple of1600
demur1612
demurea1616
hesitate1623
Nicodemize1624
scruple1639
scrupulize1642
query1647
to make doubt1709
to have scruples1719
to have weres1768
mislippen1816
dubitate1837
1612 T. Taylor Αρχὴν Ἁπάντων: Comm. Epist. Paul to Titus i. 3 And demurre with the Philistines, whether God or Fortune smite vs.
a1628 F. Greville Life of Sidney (1651) xvii. 237 To have demurr'd more seriously upon the sudden change in his Sonne.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > doubt [verb (transitive)]
doubta1400
question1533
misdoubt?c1550
scrupulize1625
scruple1641
demur1667
suspect1698
query1815
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ix. 558 What may this mean? Language of Man pronounc't By Tongue of Brute, and human sense exprest? The first..I thought deni'd To Beasts..The latter I demurre, for in thir looks Much reason, and in thir actions oft appeers. View more context for this quotation
1717 E. Fenton tr. Homer Odyssey xi, in Poems 108 Let none demur Obedience to her will.
4.
a. intransitive. To make scruples or difficulties; to raise objection, take exception to (occasionally at, on). (The current sense; often with allusion to the legal sense, 5.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > objection > object [verb (intransitive)]
opposec1380
repugna1382
object?a1425
to stick at ——1525
quarrel1570
except1597
formalize1597
demur1639
1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre ii. xxxvi. 92 The Caliph demurred hereat, as counting such a gesture a diminution to his State.
1751 C. Labelye Descr. Westm. Bridge 93 I..gave my Directions..which being in some Measure demurred to, the Matter was brought before the Board.
1775 R. B. Sheridan Rivals ii. ii My process was always very simple—in their younger days, 'twas ‘Jack, do this’—if he demurred, I knocked him down.
1807 R. Southey Lett. from Eng. III. 29 They are so unreasonable as to demur at finding corn for them.
1855 R. Browning Let. to Ruskin I cannot begin writing poetry till my imaginary reader has conceded licences to me which you demur at altogether.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. v. 40 My host at first demurred..but I insisted.
1875 A. Maclaren Serm. 2nd Ser. ix. 150 We can afford to recognise the fact, though we demur to the inference.
b. transitive. To object or take exception to. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > objection > object [verb (transitive)]
strivea1400
objectc1443
repugna1513
controlc1525
to lay something in a person's light1530
pass1534
take1542
to think (it) much1548
challenge?1577
except1577
except1597
to formalize upon1597
formalize1599
scruple1627
demur1827
1827 H. H. Wilson Burmese War (1852) 25 As the demand was unprecedented, the Mugs, who were British subjects, demurred payment.
1876 W. E. Gladstone Homeric Synchronism 59 I demur the inference from these facts.
5. Law. (intransitive) To put in a demurrer n.1
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > pleading > plead [verb (intransitive)] > demur
demur1620
a1481 T. Littleton Tenures (1482) ii. sig. bii Et fuist demurre en iugement en mesme le plee le quell les xl. iours serront accomptez de le iour de le muster del hoste le Roy.]
1620 J. Wilkinson Treat. Statutes conc. Coroners & Sherifes (new ed.) 60 It was demurred on in Law.
1628 E. Coke 1st Pt. Inst. Lawes Eng. 70 a And it was demured in iudgement in the same plea, whither the 40 dayes should bee accounted from the first day of the muster of the kings host.
1628 E. Coke 1st Pt. Inst. Lawes Eng. 72 a He that demurreth in Law confesseth all such matters of fact as are well and sufficiently pleaded.
1641 in J. Rushworth Hist. Coll.: Third Pt. (1692) I. 334 To which Plea Mr. Attorney-General demurred in Law, and the said Samuel Vassall joyned in Demurrer with him.
1660 Exact Accompt Trial Regicides 107 I must demur to your Jurisdiction.
1681 Arraignm.,Tryal & Condemnation S. Colledge 10 And if so be matter of Law arises upon any evidence that is given against you..you may demurr upon that Evidence, and pray Counsel of the Court to argue that demurrer.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 84 The plaintiff demurred, that is to say, admitted Sir Edward's plea to be true in fact, but denied that it was a sufficient answer.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
<
n.a1300v.c1230