_Demure_
Adjective.
Pronunciation and accent: dɪmjʊə(r)
Etymology: of uncertain origin. Walter Skeat’s etymology was principally derived from the Old French combination “de murs” (= of good manners), in contradiction to other ones, where the French word mûr (= mature) is designated as its origin, and the first syllable de-remains unexplained.
1. a. (Of a person) demeaning himself/herself with seriousness, or without frivolity; assuming an attitude contrary to gaiety. b. (Of a personal action, of a look, etc.) manifesting demureness.
Synonyms: serious, staid, grave.
Antonyms: frivolous, unserious, unstaid.
Translation: serio, in Spanish; serio, in Italian; sérieux, in French.
Johnny looked demure and answered "Yes, Aunt Mary," to everything she said.
Henry Richardson… Australia Felix
The elder child remained with her father when the rest had gone away, and made his tea for him—happy little house-keeper she was then!—and sat conversing with him, sometimes at the window […]. He made her his companion, though she was some years younger than Florence; and she could be as staid and pleasantly demure, with her little book or work-box, as a woman.
Charles Dickens… Dombey and Son
I was so demure and quiet in talk about women always, and had kept myself so circumspectly, that my mother never had the least suspicion of me, — but in all matters of love and intrigue, mother always seemed to me as innocent as the babe unborn.
Walter… My Secret Life
2. (Of a personal action, etc.) hypocritically serious or coy.
After luncheon, as we were on our way to the dancing arbor, we met the Oakville party with Esther in tow. I was introduced to Mrs. Martin, who, in turn, made me acquainted with her friends, including her sister, perfectly unconscious that we were already more than mere acquaintances. From the demure manner of Esther, who accepted the introduction as a matter of course, I surmised she was concealing our acquaintance from her sister and my rival.
Andy Adams… A Texas Matchmaker
Other English words derived from demure: demureness, demurely, demurity, undemure.
