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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Demure \De*mure"\, v. i.
To look demurely. [Obs.] --Shak.
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Demure \De*mure"\ (d[-e]*m[=u]r"), a. [Perh. from OF. de murs
(i. e., de bonnes murs of good manners); de of murs, mours,
meurs, mors, F. m[oe]urs, fr. L. mores (sing. mos) manners,
morals (see {Moral}); or more prob. fr. OF. me["u]r, F.
m[^u]r mature, ripe (see {Mature}) in a phrase preceded by
de, as de m[^u]re conduite of mature conduct.]
1. Of sober or serious mien; composed and decorous in
bearing; of modest look; staid; grave.
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Sober, steadfast, and demure. --Milton.
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Nan was very much delighted in her demure way, and
that delight showed itself in her face and in her
clear bright eyes. --W. Black.
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2. Affectedly modest, decorous, or serious; making a show of
gravity.
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A cat lay, and looked so demure, as if there had
been neither life nor soul in her. --L'Estrange.
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Miss Lizzy, I have no doubt, would be as demure and
coquettish, as if ten winters more had gone over her
head. --Miss
Mitford.
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