/ dɪˈmɜː(r); NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
( -rr- ) ( formal ) to say that you do not agree with sth or that you refuse to do sth :
[ v ]
At first she demurred, but then finally agreed.
[also v speech ]
■ noun
•
IDIOMS
- without demur
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the sense linger, delay ): from Old French demourer (verb), demeure (noun), based on Latin de- away, completely + morari delay.