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. [ Cf. F. protestant. ]
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 ]