demur

/di-ˈmər/

Middle English demuren, demeren to linger, from Anglo-French demurer, demoerer, from Latin demorari, from de- + morari to linger, from mora delay

verb

  1. to take exception : object —often used with to or at

  2. to file a demurrer

  3. delay, hesitate

noun

  1. the act or an instance of objecting : protest

  2. hesitation (as in doing or accepting) usually based on doubt of the acceptability of something offered or proposed

rather than be brought into court he will pay without demur

qualm scruple compunction demur mean a misgiving about what one is doing or going to do. qualm implies an uneasy fear that one is not following one's conscience or better judgment. scruple implies doubt of the rightness of an act on grounds of principle.