different between demure vs dainty

English

Etymology

From Middle English demure, demwre, of uncertain formation, but probably from Old French meur (Modern French mûr) from Latin maturus. The "de-" is "of", as in "of maturity".

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /d??mj??(?)/
• (US) IPA^(key): /d??mj??/

Distinguish from pronunciation of demur

• Rhymes: -??(?)
• Rhymes: -??(?)

Adjective

demure (comparative demurer, superlative demurest)

1. (usually of women) Quiet, modest, reserved, sober, or serious.

   She is a demure young lady.

   • 1881, William Black, The Beautiful Wretch

     Nan was very much delighted in her demure way, and that delight showed itself in her face and in her clear bright eyes.
2. Affectedly modest, decorous, or serious; making a show of gravity.
   • c. 1824, Mary Russell Mitford, Walks in the Country

     Miss Lizzy, I have no doubt, would be as demure and coquettish, as if ten winters more had gone over her head.

Derived terms

• as demure as a whore at a christening
• demurely
• demureness

Translations

Verb

demure (third-person singular simple present demures, present participle demuring, simple past and past participle demured)

1. (obsolete) To look demurely.
   • 1623, William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra (act 4, scene 16, line 30)

     Your wife Octavia, with her modest eyes […] shall acquire no Honour Demuring upon me.

English

Etymology

From Middle English deynte, from Old French deintié, from Latin dignit?tem. Doublet of dignity.

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /?de?nti/
• Rhymes: -e?nti

Noun

dainty (plural dainties)

1. A delicacy (in taste).
   • 1791, William Cowper, The Odyssey of Homer
2. (obsolete) Esteem, honour.
3. (Canada, Prairies and northwestern Ontario) A fancy cookie, pastry, or square, typically homemade, served at a social event (usually plural).
4. (obsolete) An affectionate term of address.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Ben Jonson to this entry?)

Related terms

Translations

Adjective

dainty (comparative daintier, superlative daintiest)

1. (obsolete) Excellent; valuable, fine.
2. Elegant; delicately small and pretty.
3. Fastidious and fussy, especially when eating.
   • 1623, Francis Bacon, An Advertisement touching an Holy War

Synonyms

• neat
• petite

Derived terms

• daintily
• daintiness

Translations

References

• “dainty” in the Canadian Oxford Dictionary, Second Edition, Oxford University Press, 2004.