I. də̇ˈsent intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English dissenten, from Latin dissentire, from dis- dis- (I) + sentire to feel — more at sense
1. : to withhold assent : not to approve : object
dissenting to the most outrageous invasion of private right ever set forth as a decision of the court — J.P.Boyd
2.
a. : to differ in opinion : disagree
dissent from the prevailing opinion
all who dissent from its orthodox doctrines are scoundrels — H.L.Mencken
b. archaic : to be in discord : quarrel
c. : to differ from an established church in the matter of doctrines, rites, or government
dissenting from the Church of England
Synonyms: see differ
II. noun
( -s )
1.
a. : difference of opinion : nonagreement , nonconcurrence , disagreement : as
(1) : religious dissension or nonconformity
(2) : a justice's statement with or without an accompanying opinion of nonconcurrence with a decision of the majority of the justices of a court
b. : an instance of such disagreement or nonconcurrence
his major dissents have now become the law — Francis Biddle
2. obsolete : disparity , diversity , difference