v., -test·ed, -test·ing, -tests.

v.tr.

1. To object to, especially in a formal statement. See synonyms at object.
2. To promise or affirm with earnest solemnity: “He continually protested his profound respect” (Frank Norris).
3. Law. To declare (a bill) dishonored or refused.
4. Archaic. To proclaim or make known: “unrough youths that even now/Protest their first of manhood” (Shakespeare).

v.intr.

1. To express strong objection.
2. To make an earnest avowal or affirmation.

n. (prō'tĕst')

1. A formal declaration of disapproval or objection issued by a concerned person, group, or organization.
2. An individual or collective gesture or display of disapproval.
3. Law.
   1. A formal statement drawn up by a notary for a creditor declaring that the debtor has refused to accept or honor a bill.
   2. A formal declaration made by a taxpayer stating that the tax demanded is illegal or excessive and reserving the right to contest it.

[Middle English protesten, from Old French protester, from Latin prōtestārī : prō-, forth; see pro–¹ + testārī, to testify (from testis, witness).]

protester pro'test'er n.
protestingly pro·test'ing·ly adv.

Instructions by one bank to another collecting bank not to object to items in case of nonpayment. The sending bank stamps on the face of the item the letters NP. If it cannot be collected, the collecting bank returns the item without objection.

verb

To express opposition, often by argument: challenge, demur, except, expostulate, inveigh, object, remonstrate. Informal kick, squawk. Idioms: set up a squawk, take exception. See support/oppose.

noun

The act of expressing strong or reasoned opposition: challenge, demur, exception, expostulation, objection, protestation, remonstrance, remonstration, squawk. Slang kick. See support/oppose.

n

Definition: complaint, disapproval
Antonyms: acceptance, approval, praise, support

v

Definition: complain, disapprove; argue against
Antonyms: accept, approve, praise, support

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On any day, you might observe a rally or demonstration on the Capitol grounds. Concerned citizens, labor unions, women's rights organizations, civil rights activists, environmentalists, and advocates of special interests of every kind assemble at the Capitol, unfurl their banners, listen to their speakers, and then seek out their senators and representatives to lobby for their cause.

The 1st Amendment to the Constitution protects the “right of the people peaceably to assemble,” and the Capitol has often provided the backdrop for citizens' peaceful assembly. In 1894, during a severe economic depression, Ohio business executive Jacob Coxey led an army of unemployed men and women to Washington to demand federal job programs. “General” Coxey's army reached the Capitol but was prohibited from walking on the grass or displaying any banners or signs. When Coxey stepped forward to speak, he was arrested for walking on the grass. During another great depression, in 1932, an army of Bonus Marchers appeared on the Capitol grounds. World War I army veterans assembled outside the Capitol while the Senate debated making an early bonus payment to help them through the hard times. Although many people expected trouble when the Senate voted down the Bonus Bill, the marchers sang “America” and dispersed. Later, regular army troops forced the veterans out of Washington.

During the Vietnam War in the 1960s, antiwar protestors regularly picketed and protested at the Capitol. Every January on the anniversary of the Supreme Court's 1972 ruling in Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion, antiabortion protestors have marched on the Capitol. Smaller groups often gather on the Capitol steps to protest political oppression and human rights violations in their native land. Regardless of the issues, these groups can receive a permit to assemble peacefully at the Capitol to exercise their constitutional rights.

See also Bonus Marchers; Coxey's army

This entry contains information applicable to United States law only.

A formal declaration whereby a person expresses a personal objection or disapproval of an act. A written statement, made by a notary, at the request of a holder of a bill or a note that describes the bill or note and declares that on a certain day the instrument was presented for, and refused, payment.

A protest is generally made to save some right that would be waived unless a negative opinion was expressly voiced. Taxes are often paid under protest, an action by which a taxpayer reserves the right to recover the amount paid if he has sufficient evidence to prevail.

The document states the reasons for the refusal and provides for the notary to protest against all parties to the instrument declaring that they can be held liable for any loss or damages. A notice of protest is given by the holder of the instrument to the drawer or endorser of the instrument.

IN BRIEF: To speak out against.

There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest. — Elie Wiesel

Quotes:

"There is all the difference in the world between the criminal's avoiding the public eye and the civil disobedience's taking the law into his own hands in open defiance. This distinction between an open violation of the law, performed in public, and a clandestine one is so glaringly obvious that it can be neglected only by prejudice or ill will." - Hannah Arendt

"If you attack the establishment long enough and hard enough, they will make you a member of it." - Art Buchwald

"Resistance is feasible even for those who are not heroes by nature, and it is an obligation, I believe, for those who fear the consequences and detest the reality of the attempt to impose American hegemony." - Noam Chomsky

"While there is a lower class, I am in it; while there is a criminal element, I am of it; and while there is a soul in prison, I am not free." - Eugene V. Debs

"A great wind swept over the ghetto, carrying away shame, invisibility and four centuries of humiliation. But when the wind dropped people saw it had been only a little breeze, friendly, almost gentle." - Jean Genet

"Even a purely moral act that has no hope of any immediate and visible political effect can gradually and indirectly, over time, gain in political significance." - Vaclav Havel

See more famous quotes about Protest

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Dansk (Danish)
n. - indvending, protest
v. tr. - protestere mod noget, gøre indsigelser mod
v. intr. - protestere, hævde

idioms:

• under protest    under protest

Nederlands (Dutch)
protesteren, ernstig bezwaar maken, protest, tegenspraak, verzet, appel, klacht

Français (French)
n. - protestation, réclamation, plainte, manifestation, (Jur) protêt
v. tr. - protester, manifester, affirmer, protester que, (US) protester (contre), manifester (contre)
v. intr. - protester, manifester (contre)

idioms:

• under protest    faisant l'objet d'une opposition/plainte

Deutsch (German)
n. - Protest
v. - protestieren, beteuern

idioms:

• under protest    unter Protest

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - διαμαρτυρία
v. - διαμαρτύρομαι, ισχυρίζομαι

idioms:

• under protest    με επιφύλαξη

Italiano (Italian)
protestare, protesta, opposizione, appello

idioms:

• under protest    sotto riserva

Português (Portuguese)
n. - protesto (m)
v. - protestar

idioms:

• under protest    sob protesto

Русский (Russian)
протестовать, утверждать, протест, утверждение

idioms:

• under protest    против своей воли

Español (Spanish)
n. - protesta, queja, objeción, reparo, recurso, apelación
v. tr. - protestar, recusar
v. intr. - protestar, hacer protestas

idioms:

• under protest    contra su voluntad, bajo protesta

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - protest, gensaga
v. - protestera, reagera mot, beklaga sig över, bedyra

中文（简体） (Chinese (Simplified))
主张, 抗议, 断言, 力言, 声明, 声明拒付, 对...提出异议, 反对

idioms:

• under protest    抗议着, 极不乐意地

中文（繁體） (Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 主張, 抗議, 斷言
v. tr. - 力言, 聲明, 斷言, 聲明拒付, 抗議, 對...提出異議
v. intr. - 抗議, 反對, 力言, 斷言

idioms:

• under protest    抗議著, 極不樂意地

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 항의, 항변
v. tr. - 항의하여[이의를 제기하여] 말하다
v. intr. - 항의하다, 이의를 제기하다

idioms:

• under protest    이의를 내세우고

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 抗議, 異議, 反対, 不服, 断言, 拒絶
v. - 抗議する, 主張する

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) احتجاج, اعتراض (فعل) احتج على, أكد (ولائه)‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮מחאה, הצהרה על התנגדות, הפגנת התנגדות למדיניות הממשלה, הצהרה חגיגית, הצהרה נוטריונית בכתב לסירוב לקבל תשלום או לאשר‬
v. tr. - ‮התנגד להחלטה, טען בתוקף, הצהיר, הצהיר רשמית על חפותו, כתב הצהרה נגד‬
v. intr. - ‮מחה נגד, מיחה על‬

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