demureness

English

Etymology

From demure +‎ -ness.

Noun

demureness (usually uncountable, plural demurenesses)

1. The state or quality of being demure.
   • 2009, Chika Unigwe, On Black Sisters’ Street, Vintage (2010), pages 257-258:

     She would laugh, high and loud, and the shopkeepers would laugh with her, their laughter softer than hers, a thoughtful demureness that was mindful of the fact that she was the customer […] and therefore should not be upstaged.

   • 2016, C Pam Zhang, How Much of These Hills Is Gold, Virago, page 222:

     “Don’t be coy. Haven’t I sent you nice gifts? Haven’t I been sweet to you? You play at demureness, but now? Why him? Why not me?”