King James Bible Dictionary

PROTEST', verb intransitive [Latin protestor; pro and testor, to affirm it.]

1. To affirm with solemnity; to make a solemn declaration of a fact or opinion; as, I protest to you, I have no knowledge of the transaction.

2. To make a solemn declaration expressive of opposition; with against; as, he protests against your votes.

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

3. To make a formal declaration in writing against a public law or measure. It is the privilege of any lord in parliament to protest against a law or resolution.

PROTEST', verb transitive To call as a witness in affirming or denying, or to prove an affirmation.

Fiercely they oppos'd

My journey strange, with clamorous uproar

PROTESTing fate supreme.

1. To prove; to show; to give evidence of. [Not in use.]

2. In commerce, to protest a bill of exchange, is for a notary public, at the request of the payee, to make a formal declaration under hand and seal, against the drawer of the bill, on account of non-acceptance or non-payment, for exchange, cost, commissions, damages and interest; of which act the indorser must be notified within such time as the law or custom prescribes. In like manner, notes of hand given to a banking corporation are protested for non-payment.

PRO'TEST, noun A solemn declaration of opinion, commonly against some act; appropriately, a formal and solemn declaration in writing of dissent from the proceedings of a legislative body; as the protest of lords in parliament, or a like declaration of dissent of any minority against the proceedings of a majority of a body of men.

1. In commerce, a formal declaration made by a notary public, under hand and seal, at the request of the payee or holder of a bill of exchange, for non-acceptance or non-payment of the same, protesting against the drawer and others concerned, for the exchange, charges, damages and interest. This protest is written on a copy of the bill, and notice given to the indorser of the same, by which he becomes liable to pay the amount of the bill, with charges, damages and interest; also, a like declaration against the drawer of a note of hand for non-payment to a banking corporation, and of the master of a vessel against seizure, etc. A protest is also a writing attested by a justice of the peace or consul, drawn by the master of a vessel, stating the severity of the voyage by which the ship has suffered, and showing that the damage suffered was not owing to the neglect or misconduct of the master.

PROT'ESTANT, adjective Pertaining to those who, at the reformation of religion, protested against a decree of Charles V. and the diet of Spires; pertaining to the adherents of Luther, or others of the reformed churches; as the protestant religion.

PROT'ESTANT, noun One of the party who adhered to Luther at the reformation in 1529, and protested, or made a solemn declaration of dissent from a decree of the emperor Charles V. and the diet of Spires, and appealed to a general council. This name was afterwards extended to the followers of Calvin, and Protestants is the denomination now given to all who belong to the reformed churches. The king of Prussia has, however, interdicted the use of this name in his dominions.

PROT'ESTANTISM, noun The protestant religion.

PROT'ESTANTLY, adverb In conformity to the protestants. [A very bad word and not used.]

PROTESTA'TION, noun

1. A solemn declaration of a fact, opinion or resolution.

2. A solemn declaration of dissent; a protest; as the protestation of certain noblemen against an order of council.

3. In law, a declaration in pleading, by which the party interposes an oblique allegation or denial of some fact, protesting that it does or does not exist. The lord may allege the villenage of the plaintiff by way of protestation and thus deny the demand.

PROTEST'ED, participle passive Solemnly declared or alleged; declared against for non-acceptance or non-payment.

PROTEST'ER, noun One who protests; one who utters a solemn declaration.

1. One who protests a bill of exchange.

PROTEST'ING, participle present tense Solemnly declaring or affirming; declaring against for non-acceptance or non-payment.