■ noun 'prəʊtɛst
1》 a statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something.
↘an organized public demonstration objecting to an official policy or course of action.
2》 Law a written declaration, typically by a notary public, that a bill has been presented and payment or acceptance refused.
■ verb prə'tɛst
1》 express an objection to an action or remark.
↘engage in public ~.
↘ N. Amer. publicly ~ against.
2》 make an emphatic declaration or denial in response to doubt or accusation.
3》 Law write or obtain a ~ in regard to (a bill).
Derivatives
~er (also ~or ) noun
~ing adjective
~ingly adverb
Origin
ME (in the sense 'make a solemn declaration'): from OFr. ~er , from L. ~ari 'assert formally', based on testis 'a witness'.