DEMURE

[Dr. Goodword]

• demure •

Pronunciation: di-myur • Hear it!

Part of Speech: Adjective

Meaning: 1. Reserved to the point of modesty, underspoken, restrained. 2. Coyly reserved, affectedly shy or modest.

Notes: The trick to today's Good Word lies in the avoidance of any confusion with the very similar verb: demur [dê-mêr], which means either (1) "to show reluctance, be hesitant" or (2), in legal proceedings, "to object that certain facts do not bear on an argument". You may say, "Theo rightfully demurred from giving the caller the number of his checking account." Today's word, demure, is an adjective with a distinctively different pronunciation. The usual noun associated with it is demureness but I rather like an older one, demurity.

In Play: This word suggests that someone is faking modesty: "When the distraught woman asked if he had any knowledge of car engines, the retired mechanic replied, 'A sprinkling,' with a demure smile." Did you ask if I could work both these confusing words into one sentence? Listen to this: "Cherry Pitt demurred from the offer of a second dessert, waiting until asked a second time, at which point she demurely accepted."

Word History: The verb demur came into English from an Anglo-Norman word, demurer "to delay" from Latin demorari. The Latin verb is built upon de "from" + mora "a delay". Today's Good Word apparently originates with Old French meur "discrete", a reduction of Latin maturus "mature", though the prefix de- "un-, from" remains unexplained. The ma- in Latin maturus is the same that we see matinee from matin "morning" and Spanish mañana "tomorrow" from Latin mane "in the morning".

[sluggo]

...and of coarse, not to be confused with Mallard deMer, the seasick duck, a creation of Walt Kelley.