I. ˈprōˌtest noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from protester to protest
1. : an affirmative statement : a frank and open avowal : acknowledgment
2.
a.
(1) : a solemn declaration in writing made in due form usually by a notary public under his notarial seal on behalf of the holder of a bill or note announcing refusal of payment or acceptance upon presentment and protesting against all parties to the instrument and declaring their liability for any loss or damage arising from such action
(2) : a formal notarial notice to all parties of the insolvency or other condition of the acceptor of a bill warranting the supposition that payment will not be made when due that is employed for better security against the drawer and endorsers — used chiefly in English practice
(3) : the action of making or procuring to be made such a declaration with due service of notice of dishonor
b. : a declaration made by the master of a ship before a notary, consul, or other authorized officer upon his arrival in port after a disaster stating the particulars of it and showing that any damage or loss sustained was not owing to the fault of the ship, her officers, or crew but to the perils of the sea and protesting against them
c. : a declaration made by a party especially before or while paying a tax or duty or performing an act demanded of him which he deems illegal, denying the justice of the demand, and asserting his rights and claims to show that his action is not voluntary
3.
a. : a solemn declaration of disapproval : a formal or public remonstrance
saved from execution by protests from other countries — Current Biography
the constitutional right of the opposition to voice its protests — A.C.Cole
b. : a complaint, objection, or display of unwillingness usually to an idea or a course of action
went … under protest to hear some Negro spirituals — H.J.Laski
c. : a gesture of extreme disapproval
always threatening to resign in protest of what he considered to be the radical views of some of the club members — Saturday Review
4. : an objection lodged with a sports official or a governing body (as against a player because of ineligibility, a play because of illegality, a referee or umpire because of a decision)
II. prəˈtest, (ˈ)prō|test verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English protesten, from Middle French protester, from Latin protestari, from pro- pro- (I) + testari to be a witness — more at testament
transitive verb
1. : to make solemn declaration or affirmation of : aver
he would have to protest his affection — Robertson Davies
he never protested his friendship — Morley Callaghan
2. obsolete : to declare publicly : proclaim , publish
do me right or I will protest your cowardice — Shakespeare
3. : to promise solemnly : vow
if you entreat me … I will protest you with my favorite vow — Edna S. V. Millay
4. : to make or procure to be made a notarial protest of (as a bill)
5. : to make a protest against
protest a witness or a commercial instrument
6. : to object to : remonstrate against
some of the subscribers complained of their inadequacy while others protested their cost — John Lawler
it has become customary … to protest the seating — P.C.Jessup
intransitive verb
1. : to make a protestation : declare the truth solemnly
you don't have to protest so much — Saul Bellow
2. : to make or enter a protest : object formally and often strongly
she protested about the expense — Edmund Wilson
noted the number of people who were protesting against the morals of the time — Gilbert Seldes
Synonyms: see assert , object