n. [ Cf. F. protêt, It. protesto. See Protest, v. ] 1. A solemn declaration of opinion, commonly a formal objection 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 nonacceptance or nonpayment of the bill, or by the nonpayment 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, etc., ads 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 rights and claims, in order to show that the payment was not voluntary. Story. Kent. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To make a solemn declaration or affirmation of; to proclaim; to display; as, to protest one's loyalty. [ 1913 Webster ]

I will protest your cowardice. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To call as a witness in affirming or denying, or to prove an affirmation; to appeal to. [ 1913 Webster ]

Fiercely [ they ] opposed
My journey strange, with clamorous uproar
Protesting fate supreme. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

To protest a bill or
To protest a 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 nonacceptance or the nonpayment 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Protested; p. pr. & vb. n. Protesting. ] [ F. protester, L. protestari, pro before + testari to be a witness, testis a witness. See Testify. ] 1. To affirm in a public or formal manner; to bear witness; to declare solemnly; to avow. [ 1913 Webster ]

He protest that his measures are pacific. Landor. [ 1913 Webster ]

The lady doth protest too much, methinks. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To make a solemn declaration (often a written one) expressive of opposition; -- with against; as, he protest against your votes. Denham. [ 1913 Webster ]

The conscience has power . . . to protest againts the exorbitancies of the passions. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To affirm; asseverate; assert; aver; attest; testify; declare; profess. See Affirm. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Protestantism. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. protestant. ] 1. Making a protest; protesting. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Of or pertaining to the faith and practice of those Christians who reject the authority of the Roman Catholic Church; as, Protestant writers. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. protestant, fr. L. protestans, -antis, p. pr. of protestare. See Protest, v. ] One who protests; -- originally applied to those who adhered to Luther, and protested against, or made a solemn declaration of dissent from, a decree of the Emperor Charles V. and the Diet of Spires, in 1529, against the Reformers, and appealed to a general council; -- now used in a popular sense to designate any Christian who does not belong to the Roman Catholic or the Greek Church. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Protestant. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. protestantisme. ] The quality or state of being protestant, especially against the Roman Catholic Church; the principles or religion of the Protestants. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Like a Protestant; in conformity with Protestantism. [ R. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. protestatio: cf. F. protestation. See Protest. ] 1. The act of making a protest; a public avowal; a solemn declaration, especially of dissent. “ The protestation of our faith.” Latimer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Law) Formerly, a declaration in common-law pleading, by which the party interposes an oblique allegation or denial of some fact, protesting that it does or does not exist, and at the same time avoiding a direct affirmation or denial. [ 1913 Webster ]