Demure
Origin
From Old French meur (Modern French mûr) from Latin maturus. The "de-" is "of", of modesty.
Full definition of demure
Adjective
demure
- Quiet, modest, reserved, sober, or serious.She is a demure young lady.
- W. BlackNan was very much delighted in her demure way, and that delight showed itself in her face and in her clear bright eyes.
- 21 January 2014, Hermione Hoby, Julia Roberts interview for August: Osage County – 'I might actually go to hell for this ...': Julia Roberts reveals why her violent, Oscar-nominated performance in August: Osage County made her feel 'like a terrible person' [print version: 'I might actually go to hell for this ...' (18 January 2014, p. R4)], However hard she pushed the tough-talkin' shtick, she remained doe-eyed, glowing and somehow unassailably demure.
- Affectedly modest, decorous, or serious; making a show of gravity.
- L'EstrangeA cat lay, and looked so demure, as if there had been neither life nor soul in her.
- Miss MitfordMiss Lizzy, I have no doubt, would be as demure and coquettish, as if ten winters more had gone over her head.
Derived terms
Verb
- (obsolete) To look demurely.Your wife Octavia, with her modest eyes... shall acquire no Honour Demuring upon me. – Shakespeare (1623) Antony & Cleopatra Act 4, Sc 16, Ln 30