demurral

Friendly

Word: Demurral

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: In a legal context, "demurral" refers to a formal objection or disagreement to what someone else has said or presented, especially in court. It means that one party is saying they do not agree with the arguments or claims made by the other party.

Usage Instructions:

1. Context: Use "demurral" mainly in legal discussions, documents, or formal debates.
2. Formality: It is a formal word, so it may not be suitable for casual conversation.

Example Sentence:

• "The defendant filed a demurral to challenge the validity of the plaintiff's claims in court."

Advanced Usage:

In legal proceedings, a demurral can lead to a judge deciding whether the case should proceed based on the objections raised. It often signifies that the objecting party believes the opposing party's argument is not strong enough to warrant a trial.

Word Variants:

• Demur (verb): To raise doubts or objections.
  • Example: "She demurred at the suggestion, believing it wasn't the right approach."

Different Meanings:

• Outside of legal contexts, "demurral" can imply hesitation or reluctance to agree to something, but this usage is less common.

Synonyms:

• Objection
• Protest
• Challenge
• Dispute

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While "demurral" does not have specific idioms or phrasal verbs associated with it, you might encounter phrases like "raise an objection" or "voice a concern" in discussions about disagreements.

Summary:

"Demurral" is a formal legal term used to indicate an objection to another party's position. It is primarily used in legal settings and indicates that the objecting party believes the opposing argument lacks merit.

Academic

Noun

1. (law) a formal objection to an opponent's pleadings

Synonyms

• demur
• demurrer