different between demure vs puritanical

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

puritanic +? -al

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /pj???.??tæn.?.k?l/
• (US) IPA^(key): /pj?.??tæn.?.kl?/

Adjective

puritanical (comparative more puritanical, superlative most puritanical)

1. Of or pertaining to the Puritans, or to their doctrines and practice.
2. Precise in observance of legal or religious requirements; strict; overscrupulous; rigid (often used by way of reproach or contempt).

Quotations

Mrs. Barrymore is of interest to me. She is a heavy, solid person, very limited, intensely respectable, and inclined to be puritanical. You could hardly conceive a less emotional subject. Yet I have told you how, on the first night here, I heard her sobbing bitterly, and since then I have more than once observed traces of tears upon her face. Some deep sorrow gnaws ever at her heart. Sometimes I wonder if she has a guilty memory which haunts her, and sometimes I suspect Barrymore of being a domestic tyrant.

Translations

Noun

puritanical (plural puritanicals)

1. One who holds puritanical attitudes.

Anagrams

• unpiratical