de·mure / diˈmyoŏr/ • adj. (-mur·er, -mur·est) (of a woman or her behavior) reserved, modest, and shy: a demure little wife who sits at home minding the house. ∎  (of clothing) lending such an appearance.DERIVATIVES: de·mure·ly adv.de·mure·ness n.

demure †(of the sea) calm XIV; sober, serious XV; †affectedly or unnaturally grave XVII. perh. (with muting of é as in ASSIGN 2, etc.) — AN. demuré, OF. demoré, pp. of demorer (mod. demeurer) remain, stay (see prec.), but infl. by OF. m(ë)ur grave (mod. mûr) :- L. mātūrus ripe, MATURE.