I. ˈprä-təs-tənt, 2 is also prə-ˈtes- noun
Etymology: Middle French, from Latin protestant-, protestans, present participle of protestari
Date: 1539
1. capitalized
a. : any of a group of German princes and cities presenting a defense of freedom of conscience against an edict of the Diet of Spires in 1529 intended to suppress the Lutheran movement
b. : a member of any of several church denominations denying the universal authority of the Pope and affirming the Reformation principles of justification by faith alone, the priesthood of all believers, and the primacy of the Bible as the only source of revealed truth ; broadly : a Christian not of a Catholic or Eastern church
2. : one who makes or enters a protest
• Prot·es·tant·ism ˈprä-təs-tən-ˌti-zəm noun
II. adjective
Date: 1539
1. capitalized : of or relating to Protestants, their churches, or their religion
2. : making or sounding a protest
the two protestant ladies up and marched out — Time