Demure
/dɪˈmjʊər/noun
Reserved, modest, or shy in manner.
Did you know?Demure ultimately comes from a French word tied to seriousness and delay, not glamour or magic, but it became a perfect word for the quiet power of controlled behavior.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*mē-
“To measure, limit, or be moderate.”
Latin
Latin
mātūrus
“Ripe, timely, mature.”
Old French
Old French
demore / demeure
“Delay, stay, or dwelling; also a settled, lingering state.”
Middle English
English
demure
“Sober, serious, or composed in manner.”
Modern English
English
demure
“Reserved, modest, or shy in manner.”