demure

 
Pronunciation: /dɪˈmjʊə, dɪˈmjɔː/

adjective (demurer, demurest)

  • (of a woman or her behaviour) reserved, modest, and shy: a demure little wife who sits at home minding the house
  • (of clothing) suggesting that a woman is demure: a demure white lace cap

Derivatives

demurely

adverb

demureness

noun

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'sober, serious, reserved'): perhaps from Old French demoure, past participle of demourer 'remain' (see demur); influenced by Old French mur 'grave', from Latin maturus 'ripe or mature'. The sense 'reserved, shy' dates from the late 17th century