Word of the Day: Demure

Demure
- adj.

Pronunciation
[dih-MYOOR]

Definition:
1. characterized by shyness and modesty; reserved.
2. affectedly or coyly decorous, sober, or sedate.

Etymology:
late 14c. (early 14c. as a surname), from O.Fr. meur "mature, fully grown, ripe," hence "discreet," from L. maturus "mature" (see mature) [OED]. The de- in this word is of uncertain meaning. Or possibly from Anglo-Fr. demuré (O.Fr. demoré), pp. of demorer "stay," and influenced by meur [Barnhart]. Or from O.Fr. de (bon) murs "of good manners," from O.Fr. murs (Mod.Fr. moeurs) [Klein].

Poem with the word:

"Come pensive Nun, devout and pure,
Sober, steadfast, and demure,
All in a robe of darkest grain,
Flowing with majestic train,
And sable stole of cypress lawn,
Over thy decent shoulders drawn.
Come, but keep thy wonted state,
With even step and musing gait,
And looks commercing with the skies,
Thy rapt soul sitting in thine eyes;
There held in holy passion still,
Forget thyself to marble,"

-John Milton

I call shenanigans on the iamb of that last line. C'mon, Milton.

Sibby, I adore you. I really do.

Jordy, great word choice. "affectedly or coyly decorous." Nice!

:)

Wow not only did I love the word, but the poem is just very deep and amazing, I loved it so much
thank you

I think the last word in that Milton quote simply got lost to the ages. :)

Perhaps "pill," which has a meaning: "unpleasant or offensive that must be tolerated or endured."