demur
Noun · VerbWordNet 3.0
Verb (2)
- take exception to“he demurred at my suggestion to work on Saturday”Synonyms: except
- enter a demurrer
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Demur \De*mur"\, v. t.
1.To suspend judgment concerning; to doubt of or hesitate about. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
The latter I demur, for in their looks Much reason, and in their actions, oft appears.— Milton.[1913 Webster]
2.To cause delay to; to put off. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
He demands a fee, And then demurs me with a vain delay.— Quarles.[1913 Webster]
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.] [1913 Webster]
Yet durst not demur nor abide upon the camp.— Nicols.[1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
Upon this rub, the English embassadors thought fit to demur.— Hayward.[1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
Demur \De*mur"\, n. [OF. demor, demore, stay, delay. See Demur, v. i.] Stop; pause; hesitation as to proceeding; suspense of decision or action; scruple. [1913 Webster]
All my demurs but double his attacks; At last he whispers, "Do; and we go snacks." --Pope. [1913 Webster]