Protest | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Pro-tĕst', v. i.

verbintransitive

(115), v. i. [imp. & p. p. PROTESTED; p. pr. & vb. n. PROTESTING.] [Fr. protester, Pr., Sp., & Pg. protestar, It. protestare, Lat. protestari, from pro, before, and testari, to be a witness, to testify, from testis, a witness.]

Sense 1. To affirm in a public or formal manner; to bear witness; to declare solemnly; to avow.

Collecting an army on the borders of Normandy, he protests that his measures are pacific. Landor.

Sense 2. To make a solemn declaration (usually a written one) expressive of opposition;—with against; as, he protests against your votes. Denham.

The conscience has power to protest against the exorbitancies of the passions. South.

Synonyms—To affirm; asseverate; assert; aver; attest; testify; declare; profess. See AFFERM.

Pro-tĕst’, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. 1. To make a solemn declaration or affirmation of; as, to protest one’s innocence.

Sense 2. To call as a witness in affirming or denying, or to prove an affirmation.

Fiercely they opposed My journey strange, with clamorous uproar Protesting fate supreme. Milton.

Sense 3. To prove; to show; to give evidence of.

I will protest thy cowardice. Shak.

To protest a bill or note (Law), to make a solemn written declaration, in due form, on behalf of the holder, against all parties liable for any loss or damage to be sustained by the non-acceptance or the non-payment of the bill or note, as the case may be. This should be made by a notary public, whose seal it is the usual practice to affix. Kent. Story. New Am. Cyc.

Prō'test, n.

noun

(Synop., § 130), n. [It. & Sp. protesto, protesta, Fr. protêt. See supra.]

Sense 1. A solemn declaration of opinion, commonly against some act; especially, a formal and solemn declaration, in writing, of dissent from the proceedings of a legislative body; as, the protest of lords in Parliament.

Sense 2. (Law.) (a.) A solemn declaration in writing, in due form, made by a notary public, usually under his notarial seal, on behalf of the holder of a bill or note, protesting against all parties liable for any loss or damage by the non-acceptance or non-payment of the bill, or by the non-payment of the note, as the case may be. (b.) A declaration made by the master of a vessel 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 vessel, her officers or crew, but to the perils of the sea, &c., as the case may be, and protesting against them. (c.) A declaration made by a party, before or while paying a tax, duty, or the like, demanded of him, which he deems illegal, denying the justice of the demand, and asserting his own rights and claims, in order to show that the payment was not voluntary. Story. Kent. New Am. Cyc.