Protest

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /ˈpɹəʊ.tɛst/

Definitions

1. A public expression of objection, disapproval, or dissent, typically in the form of a demonstration or formal statement
2. An organized demonstration or statement that expresses objection, disagreement, or opposition to a specific issue, policy, or action
3. An act of publicly opposing, expressing dissatisfaction with, or raising objections to something, often through gatherings or declarations

Etymology: The word carries a legal sense that its modern street meaning hides. In Latin, "prōtestārī" meant to declare publicly or to bear witness, built from "prō" (before, in front of) and "testārī," which comes from "testis," meaning "witness." To protest, originally, was to stand up in front of others and call them to witness a statement. The idea moved from the courtroom and the notary's office into everyday speech by way of Old French "protester," which carried the same sense of formally declaring something. English took up the verb in the Middle English period, and the earliest uses were close to that legal core: putting on record a declaration or an objection. The noun followed, and it kept that formal flavour, so a protest was a formal statement before it became a noisy crowd on a street. The modern sense of a demonstration grew out of this root, which is why the word still sounds like a declaration made to be heard. The witness at its heart is the crowd that is meant to see and remember the objection.

Synonyms: demonstration, objection, dispute, challenge, rebellion

Antonyms: acceptance, agreement, compliance, submission