Emily Dickinson Lexicon

demur (-ed), v. [Fr. demeurer < L. dēmorārī, tarry, delay.] (webplay: eye, may, rest, stop).

1. Refuse; decline; dissent; hesitate; back away.
2. Object; protest; resist; contest.
3. Pause; hesitate; linger; wait; stop.
4. Relent; repent; soften; yield; change mind; make a concession.