from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Demur \De*mur"\ (d[-e]*m[^u]r"), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Demurred}
(d[-e]*m[^u]rd"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Demurring}.] [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}.]
1. To linger; to stay; to tarry. [Obs.]
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Yet durst not demur nor abide upon the camp.
--Nicols.
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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.
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Upon this rub, the English embassadors thought fit
to demur. --Hayward.
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3. To scruple or object; to take exception, especailly on the
basis of scruple or modesty; as, I demur to that
statement; they wanted to make him president, but he
demurred.
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When introduced as the world's smartest man, he was
not inclined to demur. --Kip Thorne
[PJC]
4. (Law) To interpose a demurrer. See {Demurrer}, 2.
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