protest 
Their own guilty carriage protests they doe feare. 
Milinii, church-Government, 1. 5. 
" I protett, < 'liarli-M. " cried uiy wile, " I his Is the way you 
always damp my girls and me when we are in spirits. " 
Goldsmith, Vicar, v. 
2. To call as a witness in affirming or denying, 
or to prove an affirmation; appeal to. [Rare.] 
Fiercely opposed 
My journey strange, with clamorous uproar 
Protesting fate supreme. Milton, P. I.., x. 480. 
3f. To declare publicly; publish; make known. 
I will make It good how you dare, with what you dare, 
and when you dare. Do me right, or I will protett your 
cowardice. Shale., Much Ado, v. 1. 149. 
Thou wouldst not willingly 
Live & protested coward, or be call'd one? 
Hi'iiii. and Fl., Little French Lawyer, L 1. 
4f. To promise solemnly ; vow. 
On Diana's altar to protett 
For aye austerity and single life. 
Shot., M. N. D., i. 1. 89. 
5. To declare formally to be insufficiently pro- 
vided for by deposit or payment : said of a note 
or bill of exchange, and also, figuratively, of 
personal credit, statements, etc. See protest, 
n., 3. 
Turn country bankrupt 
In mine own town, upon the market day, 
And be protested for my butter and eggs, 
To the last bodge of oats and bottle of hay. 
/'. Jonson, New Inn, i. 1. 
The bill lies for payment at Dollar's and Co. , In Blrchin- 
lane, and if not taken up this afternoon will be protested. 
Caiman, The Spleen, i. (Danes.) 
"I said I did nothing," cried Lady Cecilia. ... An 
appealing look to Helen was, however, protested. " To the 
best of my recollection at least, " Lady Cecilia immediately 
added. Miss Bdyeworth, Helen, vi. (Dames.) 
The moral market had the usual chills 
Of Virtue suffering from protested bills. 
0. W. Holmes, The Banker's Dinner. 
= Syn. 1. Protest differs from the words compared under 
assert (aver, asseverate, etc.) in being more solemn and 
earnest, ana in implying more of previous contradiction 
or expectation of contradiction (see the quotations above) ; 
like them, it is used to make the statement seem certainly 
true. 
II. in trans. 1. To bear testimony; affirm 
with solemnity; make a solemn declaration 
of a fact or an opinion ; asseverate. 
The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall 
not see my lace, except your brother be with you. 
Gen. xliil. s. 
The lady doth protest too much, methinks. 
Shot., Hamlet, Hi. 2. 240. 
2. To make a sojemn or formal declaration 
(often in writing) in condemnation of an act or 
measure proposed or accomplished : often with 
against. 
Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet 
protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner 
of the king that shall reign over them. 1 Sam. viil. 1). 
When they say the Bishops did antiently protest, it was 
only dissenting, and that in the case of the Pope. 
Selden, Table- Talk, p. 68. 
Warham, as an old lawyer, protested In a formal docu- 
ment against all legislation which might be enacted against 
ecclesiastical or papal power. 
Stuobs, Medieval and Modern Hist, p. 279. 
protest (pro'test, formerly also pro-test'), K 
ME. protest (= D. G. Sw. Dan. protest), < OF. 
protest (F. prottt), m., protests, f., = Sp. pro- 
testo, m., protesta, f., = Pg. It. protesto, m. (ML. 
protestum, neut.), a protest (mostly in the com- 
mercial sense) ; from the verb.] I. The act of 
protesting, or that which is protested; an affir- 
mation ; asseveration ; protestation : now re- 
stricted for the most part to a solemn or formal 
declaration against some act or course of ac- 
tion, by which a person declares (and some- 
times has his declaration recorded) that he 
refuses, or only conditionally yields, his con- 
sent to some act to which he might otherwise 
be assumed to have yielded an unconditional 
assent: as, to submit under protest; & protest 
against the action of a committee. 
Swear me, Kate, like a lady as thon art, 
A good mouth-filling oath, and leave " in sooth," 
And such protest of pepper-gingerbread, 
To velvet-guards. Shale., 1 Hen. IV., III. 1. 200. 
He [Spenser] is a standing protest against the tyranny of 
Commonplace. Lowell, Among my Books, 2d ser., p. 199. 
He took away the reproach of silent consent that would 
otherwise have lain against the indignant minority, by 
uttering, in the hour and place wherein these outrages 
were done, the stern protest. Emerson, Theodore Parker. 
Two protests of peers against the proceedings of the min- 
isters were expunged from the records of the House of 
Lords. Ledcy, Eng. in 18th Cent, i. 
2. In fate: (a) In a popular sense, all the steps 
taken to fix the liability of a drawer or indorser 
of commercial paper when the paper is dishon- 
ored. (6) Technically, the solemn declaration 
on the part of the holder of a bill or note against 
4795 
any loss to be sustained by him by reason of the 
n on-acceptanceor non-payment, as the case may 
be, of the bill or note in question, and the calling 
of a notary to witness that due steps have been 
taken to prevent such loss, (c) The document 
authenticating this act. (d) A written declara- 
tion, usually by the master of a ship, attested 
by a justice of the peace or a consul, stating the 
circumstances under which any injury has uap- 
pened to the ship or cargo, or other circum- 
stances calculated to affect the liability of the 
owners, officers, crew, etc. Acceptance supra 
protest See accepta nee, 1. Acceptor supra protest 
See acceptor. Protest of Spires (Speyer),a protest of 
Lutherans against the decision of the Diet of Spires In 
I..-".', which had denounced the Reformation. The essen- 
tial principles involved in the protest against this de- 
cree were (a) that the Roman Catholic Church could 
not judge the Reformed churches, because they were no 
longer In communion with her; (6) that the authority 
of the Bible Is supreme, and above that of councils and 
bishops ; and (c) that the Bible Is not to be interpreted 
according to tradition, but is to be interpreted by means 
of its, 'If. 
Protestancy (prot'es-tan-si), n. [< l'rotestan(t) 
+ -cy.] Protestantism. 
Protettaney is called to the bar, and though not sen- 
tenced by you to death without mercy, yet arraigned of 
o much natural malignity (II not corrected by Ignorance 
or contrition) as to be in itself destructive of salvation. 
Chillinyicorth, Religion of Protestants, L 1. 
protestando (pro-tes-tau'do), . [L., abl. sing. 
gerund, of protestari, declare in public, bear 
witness: see protest,'} In law, a protestation. 
See protestation, 3. 
Protestant (prot'es-tant), a. and n. [< F.pro- 
testant = Sp. Pg. lt."prolestante = D. G. Dan. 
Sw. protestant = Russ. protestantu, < L. protes- 
tan(t-)s, ppr. of protestari, declare in public, bear 
witness: see jtrotest.] I. a. 1. Protesting; 
making a protest. [In this use also pronounced 
distinctively pnj-tes'tant.] 
A private protegtant tribunal [conscience], where person- 
al moral convictions preside, and which alone enables men 
to adapt themselves to new ethical situations or environ- 
ments. 0. S. Uall, Amer. Jour. PsychoL, III. 61. 
2. [cap.] Of or pertaining to Protestants or 
their doctrines or forms of religion. 
All sound Protestant writers. Milton, Civil Power. 
Protestant Friends. Same as Free Congregations (which 
see, under congregation). 
II. n. 1. One who protests; one who makes 
protestation. [In this use also pronounced dis- 
tinctively pro-tes'tant.] 
Bid me to live, and I will live 
Thy protestant to be ; 
Or bid me love, and I will give 
A loving heart to thee. 
Herridr, To Anthca. 
If consistency were a matter of great concern to parti- 
zans, it might also be pertinent to suggest that no great 
moral value can be attached to a protest against evil-doing 
at which the protestant has connived. 
The Century, XXX. 828. 
2. [cap.] A member or an adherent of one of 
those Christian bodies which are descended 
from the Reformation of the sixteenth century: 
in general language, opposed to Roman Cath- 
olic and Creek. The name, first applied to the Luther- 
ans who protested at the Diet of Spires in 1529, came to 
be applied to Lutherans generally, and afterward was ex- 
tended to Calvinists and other opponents of the papacy in 
countries where the papacy had formerly been in power. 
(See protest of Spires, under protest.) The Protestants 
gained a strong foothold in some countries, as France, 
in which they are now numerically weak. They are in 
the majority In Great Britain and many of its possessions, 
in Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the Scandina- 
vian countries, and the United States. 
What Gerson and Panormitanus write, which were an- 
cient fathers, and not new Protestants. 
Bp. PiUcington, Works (ed. Parker Soc., 1562X p. 532. 
One of these tracts (printed about 1570] has the follow- 
ing title: Ane prettle Mirrour, or Conference betuiz the 
Faithful! Protestant and the Dissemblit false Hypocrelt. 
Louder, Dewtie of Kyngis (E. E. T. 8.), Prel., p. Ix. 
Queen Elizabeth, finding how fickle the French Protes- 
tants had carried themselves towards her, intended to 
make a Peace. Baker, Chronicles, p. 8S3. 
Papist or Protestant, or both between, 
Like good Erasmus, in an honest mean. 
Pope, Iin it. ol Horace, II. L 66. 
Protestanticalt (prot-es-tan'ti-kal), a. [< Prot- 
estant + -if-a/.] Protestant. [Bare.] 
The protfstantieal Church ol England. 
on a Libel. 
Protestantism (prot'es-tan-tizm), w. [= F. 
protestantisms = Sp. Pg. protestantismo ; as 
Protestant + -ism.'] The state of being a Prot- 
estant; the religious principles of Protestants; 
the religious and other tendencies fostered by 
the Protestant movement. See protest of Spires, 
under protest. 
The liberal genius of Protestantism had perfected its 
work. T. Warton, Hist. Eng. Poetry, II. 461. (Latham.) 
Proteus 
The Protestantism of a great number of the Anglican 
clergy Is supposed to be but languid. 
M. Arnold, A Persian Passion Play. 
Protestantize (prot'es-tan-tiz), v. t.; pret. and 
pp. Protestantized,Tar}t. Protestantizing. [< Prot- 
estant + -ize.] To render Protestant; con- 
vert to Protestantism. 
To Protestantize Ireland. Disraeli. 
Protestantlyt (prot'es-tant-li), adv. [ < Protes- 
tant + -ly 2 .] In conformity to Protestantism 
or the Protestants. 
To protestanU . . . nothing can with more conscience, 
more equitle, nothing more protestantly can be permitted 
then a free and lawful debate at all times ... of what 
opinion soever, disputable by scripture. 
Milton, Civil Power. 
protestation (prot-es-ta'shon), . [< ME.pro- 
testacioun, < OF. protestation, F. protestation 
= Sp. protestacion = Pg.protesta$8o = It. pro- 
testazione, protestagione, \Ui.protestatio(n-), a 
declaration, < L. protestari, pp. protestatus, de- 
clare in public, bear witness: see protest.] 1. 
A solemn or formal declaration of a fact, opin- 
ion, or resolution ; an asseveration : as, protes- 
tations of friendship or of amendment. 
But first I make a protestacimtn 
That I am dronke, I knowe it by my soun. 
Chaucer, Prol. to Miller s Tale, 1. 29. 
Whereas ye write the day and year ol D. Barnes' death, 
It increasetn your own confusion, and shall In- a clear tes- 
timony against yourself for resisting those good words ol 
his protestation, if ye forsake not your heresy in time. 
Coverdale, Remains (Parker Soc.), p. 328. 
You are welcome too, sir ; 
Tis spoken from the heart, and therefore needs not 
Much protestation. 
Beau, and Fl., Custom of the Country, HI. .1. 
Hear but some vows I make to you ; 
Hear but the protestations of a true love. 
Fletcher and Jtowley, Maid in the Mill, I. 3. 
2. A solemn or formal declaration of dissent ; 
a protest. 
Which protestation, made by the first public reformers 
of our religion against the imperial edicts of Charles the 
fifth imposing church-traditions without Scripture, gave 
first beginning to the name of Protestant. 
Milton, Civil Power. 
I hear at once 
Hubbub of protestation ! 
Brotcniny, Ring and Book, II. 215. 
3. In law, a declaration in pleading, by which 
the party interposed an oblique allegation or 
denial of some fact, by protesting that it did 
or did not exist, and at the same time avoid- 
ing a direct affirmation or denial, the object 
being to admit it for the purpose of the present 
action only, and reserve the right to deny it in 
a future action "an exclusion of a conclu- 
sion." Cokf. In Scots fair, a proceeding taken by a 
defender, where the pursuer neglects to proceed, to com- 
pel him either to proceed or to suffer the action to fall. 
= 8yn. 1. Affirmation, averment. See protest, c. i. 
protestator (prot'es-ta-tor), . [= Pg. protes- 
tador = It. protestatore, { NL. protestator, < L. 
protestari, pp. protestatus, declare in public, 
bear witness: see protest.] One who protests; 
a protestor. 
protested (pro-tes'ted), p. a. Having made a 
protest. [Rare.] 
In this age, Britons, God hath reformed his church after 
many hundred years of popish corruption ; ... In this 
age he hath renewed our protestation against all those yet 
remaining dregs of superstition. Let us all go, every true 
protested Briton, throughout the three kingdoms, and 
render thanks to God. Milton, Animadversions. 
protester (pro-tes'ter), . [< protest + -!.] 
1. One who protests; one who utters a solemn 
or formal declaration. 
Were I a common laugher, or did use 
To stale with ordinary oaths my love 
To every new protester. Shak., .1. C., 1. 2. 74. 
A Protestant, a protester, belonging nearly always to 
an extreme minority, is Inevitably disliked sometimes 
feared, but always disliked. Sharp, D. G. Rouettl, ii. 
2. One who protests a bill of exchange, etc. 
3. [cap.] Specifically, in Scottish hist., a mem- 
ber of a party which protested against the union 
of the Royalists with the Presbyterians in 1650. 
Also spelled Protestor. 
After having been long comrades, they had parted in 
some unkindneas, at the time when the Kingdom of Scot- 
land was divided into Resolutioners and Protesters: the 
former of whom adhered to Charles II. alter his father's 
death upon the scaffold, while the Protesters inclined 
rather to a union with the triumphant republicans. 
Scott, Old Mortality, v. 
protestingly (pro-tes'ting-li), adv. [< protest- 
ing, ppr. of protest, v., + -fy 2 .] In a protesting 
manner ; by way of protesting. 
Protestor (pro-tes'tor), H. Same as Protester. '.',. 
Proteus (prd'tus or -te-us), n. [L., < Gr. Hpu- 
reif, the name of a sea-god: see def.] 1. In 
classical myth., a sea-god, the son of Oceanus 
