demurral en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /dɪˈmɝəl/ (General-American)
- /dɪˈmɜːɹəl/ (Received-Pronunciation)
Etymology
Etymology tree English demur Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālisbor. Old French -albor. ▲ Latin -ālis Old French -elbor. ▲ Latin -ālisbor. Middle English -al English -al English demurral From demur + -al.
Meanings
-
(countable, uncountable) The act of demurring.
Her steady tone, her emphasizing twitches, were new to Nick; they seemed to signal a change in their relations that wouldn't easily be reversed. He was used to her easy assents, her oddly contented demurrals […]
2004, Alan Hollinghurst, chapter 17, in The Line of Beauty […], London: Picador, →ISBN:
- (countable, uncountable) A formal objection.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| demurrals | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Synonyms
hiatus (act of demurring: suspending proceedings) · procrastination · deferral (act of demurring: putting off) · recess · moratorium