Pro*test" (?), 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.
He protest that his measures are
pacific.
Landor.
The lady doth protest too much,
methinks.
Shak.
2. To make a solemn declaration (often a
written one) expressive of opposition; -- with against; as, he
protest against your votes. Denham.
The conscience has power . . . to protest
againts the exorbitancies of the passions.
Shak.
Syn. -- To affirm; asseverate; assert; aver; attest;
testify; declare; profess. See Affirm.
Pro*test", v. t. 1.
To make a solemn declaration or affirmation of; to proclaim; to
display; as, to protest one's loyalty.
I will protest your cowardice.
Shak.
2. To call as a witness in affirming or
denying, or to prove an affirmation; to appeal to.
Fiercely [they] opposed
My journey strange, with clamorous uproar
Protesting fate supreme.
Milton.
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 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.
Pro"test (?), 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.
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.
