2. (Law)
Defn: The offer by a party of what he has in view as to an intended business transaction, which, with acceptance, constitutes a contract.
Syn.— Proffer; tender; overture. See Proposition.
PROPOSEPro*pose", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Proposed; p. pr. & vb. n. Proposing.]Etym: [F. proposer; pref. pro- (L. pro for, forward) + poser toplace. See Pose, v.]
1. To set forth. [Obs.] That being proposed brimfull of wine, one scarce could lift it up. Chapman.
2. To offer for consideration, discussion, acceptance, or adoption; as, to propose terms of peace; to propose a question for discussion; to propose an alliance; to propose a person for office.
3. To set before one's self or others as a purpose formed; hence, topurpose; to intend.I propose to relate, in several volumes, the history of the people ofNew England. Palfrey. To propose to one's self, to intend; to design.
PROPOSEPro*pose", v. i.
1. To speak; to converse. [Obs.] There shalt thou find my cousin Beatrice, Proposing with the prince and Claudio. Shak.
2. To form or declare a purpose or intention; to lay a scheme; to design; as, man proposes, but God disposes.
3. To offer one's self in marriage.
PROPOSE Pro*pose", n. Etym: [F. propos, L. propositum. See Propound, Purpose, n.]
Defn: Talk; discourse. [Obs.] Shak.
PROPOSERPro*pos"er, n.
1. One who proposes or offers anything for consideration or adoption.
2. A speaker; an orator. [Obs.] Shak.
PROPOSITIONProp`o*si"tion, n. Etym: [L. propositio: cf. F. proposition. SeePropound.]
1. The act of setting or placing before; the act of offering. "Oblations for the altar of proposition." Jer. Taylor.
2. That which is proposed; that which is offered, as for consideration, acceptance, or adoption; a proposal; as, the enemy made propositions of peace; his proposition was not accepted.
3. A statement of religious doctrine; an article of faith; creed; as, the propositions of Wyclif and Huss. Some persons . . . change their propositions according as their temporal necessities or advantages do turn. Jer. Taylor.
4. (Gram. & Logic)
Defn: A complete sentence, or part of a sentence consisting of a subject and predicate united by a copula; a thought expressed or propounded in language; a from of speech in which a predicate is affirmed or denied of a subject; as, snow is white.
5. (Math.)
Defn: A statement in terms of a truth to be demonstrated, or of an operation to be performed.
Note: It is called a theorem when it is something to be proved, and a problem when it is something to be done.
6. (Rhet.)
Defn: That which is offered or affirmed as the subject of the discourse; anything stated or affirmed for discussion or illustration.
7. (Poetry)
Defn: The part of a poem in which the author states the subject or matter of it. Leaves of proposition (Jewish Antiq.), the showbread. Wyclif (Luke vi. 4).
Syn. — Proposal; offer; statement; declaration. — Proposition, Proposal. These words are both from the Latin verb proponere, to set forth, and as here compared they mark different forms or stages of a negotiation. A proposition is something presented for discussion or consideration; as, propositions of peace. A proposal is some definite thing offered by one party to be accepted or rejected by the other. If the proposition is favorably received, it is usually followed by proposals which complete the arrangement.
PROPOSITIONALProp`o*si"tion*al, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, or in the nature of, a proposition; considered as a proposition; as, a propositional sense. I. Watts.
PROPOUNDPro*pound", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Propounded; p. pr. & vb. n.Propounding.] Etym: [From earlier propone, L. proponere, propositum,to set forth, propose, propound; pro for, before + ponere to put. SeePosition, and cf. Provost.]
1. To offer for consideration; to exhibit; to propose; as, to propound a question; to propound an argument. Shak. And darest thou to the Son of God propound To worship thee, accursed Milton. It is strange folly to set ourselves no mark, to propound no end, in the hearing of the gospel. Coleridge.
2. (Eccl.)
Defn: To propose or name as a candidate for admission to communion with a church.
PROPOUNDERPro*pound"er, n.
Defn: One who propounds, proposes, or offers for consideration.Chillingworth.
PROPRETOR Pro*pre"tor, n. Etym: [L. propraetor; pro for, before + praetor a pretor.] (Rom. Antiq.)
Defn: A magistrate who, having been pretor at home, was appointed to the government of a province. [Written also proprætor.]
PROPRIETARYPro*pri"e*ta*ry, n.; pl. Proprietaries. Etym: [L. proprietarius: cf.F. propriétaire. See Propriety, and cf. Proprietor.]
1. A proprietor or owner; one who has exclusive title to a thing; one who possesses, or holds the title to, a thing in his own right. Fuller.
2. A body proprietors, taken collectively.
3. (Eccl.)
Defn: A monk who had reserved goods and effects to himself, notwithstanding his renunciation of all at the time of profession.
PROPRIETARYPro*pri"e*ta*ry, a. Etym: [L. proprietarius.]
Defn: Belonging, or pertaining, to a proprietor; considered as property; owned; as, proprietary medicine. Proprietary articles, manufactured articles which some person or persons have exclusive right to make and sell. U. S. Statutes.
PROPRIETORPro*pri"e*tor, n. Etym: [For older proprietary: cf. F. propriétarie.]
Defn: One who has the legal right or exclusive title to anything, whether in possession or not; an owner; as, the proprietor of farm or of a mill.
PROPRIETORIALPro*pri`e*to"ri*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to ownership; proprietary; as, proprietorial rights.
PROPRIETORSHIPPro*pri"e*tor*ship, n.
Defn: The state of being proprietor; ownership.
PROPRIETRESSPro*pri"e*tress, n.
Defn: A female proprietor.
PROPRIETY Pro*pri"e*ty, n.; pl. Proprieties. Etym: [F. propriété, L. proprietas, fr. proprius one's own, proper. See Property, Proper.]
1. Individual right to hold property; ownership by personal title; property. [Obs.] "Onles this propriety be exiled." Robynson (More's Utopia). So are the proprieties of a wife to be disposed of by her lord, and yet all are for her provisions, it being a part of his need to refresh and supply hers. Jer. Taylor.
2. That which is proper or peculiar; an inherent property or quality; peculiarity. [Obs.] Bacon. We find no mention hereof in ancient zoögraphers, . . . who seldom forget proprieties of such a nature. Sir T. Browne.
3. The quality or state of being proper; suitableness to an acknowledged or correct standard or rule; consonance with established principles, rules, or customs; fitness; appropriateness; as, propriety of behavior, language, manners, etc. "The rule of propriety," Locke.
PROPROCTORPro*proc"tor, n. Etym: [Pref. pro- + proctor.] [Eng. Univ.]
Defn: A assistant proctor. Hook.
PROPSProps, n. pl.
Defn: A game of chance, in which four sea shells, each called a prop, are used instead of dice.
PROPTERYGIUMProp`te*ryg"i*um, n; pl. Propterygia. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The anterior of three principal cartilages in the fins of somefishes.— Prop`ter*yg"i*al, a.
PROPUGNPro*pugn", v. t. Etym: [L. propugnare; pro for + pugnare to fight.]
Defn: To contend for; to defend; to vindicate. [Obs.] Hammond.
PROPUGNACLEPro*pug"na*cle, n. Etym: [L. propugnaculum.]
Defn: A fortress. [Obs.] Howell.
PROPUGNATIONPro`pug*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. propugnatio.]
Defn: Means of defense; defense. [Obs.] Shak.
PROPUGNERPro*pugn"er, n.
Defn: A defender; a vindicator. "Zealous propugners." Gov. of Tongue.
PROPULSATIONPro`pul*sa"tion, n. Etym: [L. propulsatio. See Propulse.]
Defn: The act of driving away or repelling; a keeping at a distance.[Obs.] Bp. Hall.
PROPULSE Pro*pulse", v. t. Etym: [L. propulsare, v. intens. from propellere to propel. See Propel.]
Defn: To repel; to drive off or away. [Obs.] Cotgrave.
PROPULSIONPro*pul"sion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. propulsion. See Propel.]
1. The act driving forward or away; the act or process of propelling; as, steam propulsion.
2. An impelling act or movement. God works in all things; all obey His first propulsion. Whittier.
PROPULSIVEPro*pul"sive, a.
Defn: Tending, or having power, to propel; driving on; urging. "[The] propulsive movement of the verse." Coleridge.
PROPULSORYPro*pul"so*ry, a.
Defn: Propulsive.
PROPYLPro"pyl, n. Etym: [Propionic + -yl.] (Chem.)
Defn: The hypothetical radical C3H7, regarded as the essential residue of propane and related compounds.
PROPYLAEUMProp`y*læ"um, n.; pl. Propylæa. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Anc. ClassicalArch.)
Defn: Any court or vestibule before a building or leading into any inclosure.
PROPYLENEPro"pyl*ene, n. Etym: [Cf. F. propylène.] (Chem.)
Defn: A colorless gaseous hydrocarbon (C3H6) of the ethylene series, having a garlic odor. It occurs in coal gas, and is produced artificially in various ways. Called also propene.
PROPYLICPro*pyl"ic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, propyl; as, propylic alcohol.
PROPYLIDENEPro*pyl"i*dene, n. (Chem.)
Defn: See Propidene.
PROPYLONProp"y*lon, n.; pl. Propyla. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Anc. Arch.)
Defn: The porch, vestibule, or entrance of an edifice.
PRO RATAPro` ra"ta. Etym: [L.]
Defn: In proportion; proportionately; according to the share, interest, or liability of each.
PRORATABLEPro*rat"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being prorated, or divided proportionately. [U.S.]
PRORATEPro*rate", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prorated; p. pr. & vb. n. Prorating.]Etym: [From L. pro rata (sc. parte) according to a certain part, inproportion.]
Defn: To divide or distribute proportionally; to assess pro rata.[U.S.]
PROREProre, n. Etym: [L. prora, Gr. prora. See Prow, n.]
Defn: The prow or fore part of a ship. [Poetic] "Galleys with vermilion prores." Pope.
PRORECTORPro*rec"tor, n. Etym: [NL. See Pro-, and Rector.]
Defn: An officer who presides over the academic senate of a German university. Heyse.
PRORECTORATEPro*rec"tor*ate, n.
Defn: The office of prorector.
PRORENALPro*re"nal, a. Etym: [Pref. pro- + renal.] (Anat.)
Defn: Pronephric.
PROREPTION Pro*rep"tion, n. Etym: [L. prorepere, proreptum, to creep forth; pro + repere.]
Defn: A creeping on.
PRORHINALPro*rhi"nal, a. Etym: [Pref. pro- + rhinal.] (Anat.)
Defn: Situated in front of the nasal chambers.
PROROGATEPro"ro*gate, v. t.
Defn: To prorogue. [R.]
PROROGATIONPro`ro*ga"tion, n. Etym: [L. prorogatio: cf. F. prorogation.]
1. The act of counting in duration; prolongation. [Obs.] South.
2. The act of proroguing; the ending of the session of Parliament, and postponing of its business, by the command of the sovereign. [Eng.]
Note: After an adjournment all things continue as they were at the adjournment; whereas, after a prorogation, bill introduced and nut passed are as if they had never been begun at all. Mozley & W.
PROROGUE Pro*rogue", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prorogued; p. pr. & vb. n. Proroguing.] Etym: [F. proroger, L. prorogare, prorogatum; pro forward + rogare to ask, to ask one for his opinion or vote, or about a law. See Rogation.]
1. To protract; to prolong; to extend. [Obs.] He prorogued his government. Dryden.
2. To defer; to delay; to postpone; as, to proroguedeath; to prorogue a marriage. Shak.
3. To end the session of a parliament by an order of the sovereign, thus deferring its business. Parliament was prorogued to [meet at] Westminster. Bp. Hall. The Parliament was again prorogued to a distant day. Macaulay.
Syn.— To adjourn; postpone; defer. See Adjourn.
PRORUPTION Pro*rup"tion, n. Etym: [L. proruptio, fr. prorumpere, proruptum, to break forth; pro forth + rumpere to break.]
Defn: The act or state of bursting forth; a bursting out. [R.] Sir T.Browne.
PROSAIC; PROSAICALPro*sa"ic, Pro*sa"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. prosaius, from prosa prose: cf.F,. prosaïque. See Prose.]
1. Of or pertaining to prose; resembling prose; in the form of prose; unpoetical; writing or using prose; as, a prosaic composition. Cudworth.
2. Dull; uninteresting; commonplace; unimaginative; prosy; as, aprosaic person. Ed. Rev.— Pro*sa"ic*al*ly, adv.— Pro*sa"ic*al*ness, n.
PROSAICISMPro*sa"i*cism, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being prosaic; a prosaic manner or style. [R.] Poe.
PROSAISMPro"sa*ism, n.
Defn: That which is in the form of prose writing; a prosaic manner.Coleridge.
PROSAISTPro"sa*ist, n.
Defn: A writer of prose; an unpoetical writer. "An estimable prosaist." I. Taylor.
PROSALPro"sal, a
Defn: Of or pertaining to prose; prosaic. [R.] Sir T. Browne.
PROSCENIUMPro*sce"ni*um, n.; pl. Proscenia. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. Scene.]
1. (Anc. Theater)
Defn: The part where the actors performed; the stage.
2. (Modern Theater)
Defn: The part of the stage in front of the curtain; sometimes, the curtain and its framework. proscenium arch, the framework around the front of the stage.
PROSCOLEXPro*sco"lex, n.; pl. Proscolices. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: An early larval form of a trematode worm; a redia. See Redia.
PROSCRIBE Pro*scribe", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Proscribed; p. pr. & vb. n. Proscribing.] Etym: [L. proscribere, proscriptum, to write before, to publish, proscribe; pro before + scribere to write. See Scribe. The sense of this word originated in the Roman practice of writing the names of persons doomed to death, and posting the list in public.]
1. To doom to destruction; to put out of the protection of law; to outlaw; to exile; as, Sylla and Marius proscribed each other's adherents. Robert Vere, Earl of Oxford, . . . was banished the realm, and proscribed. Spenser.
2. To denounce and condemn; to interdict; to prohibit; as, thePuritans proscribed theaters.The Arian doctrines were proscribed and anathematized in the famousCouncil of Nice. Waterland.
PROSCRIBERPro*scrib"er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, proscribes, denounces, or prohibits.
PROSCRIPTPro"script, n. Etym: [See Proscribe.]
1. A proscription; a prohibition; an interdict. [R.]
2. One who is proscribed. [R.]
PROSCRIPTIONPro*scrip"tion, n. Etym: [L. proscriptio: cf. F. proscription.]
1. The act of proscribing; a dooming to death or exile; outlawry; specifically, among the ancient Romans, the public offer of a reward for the head of a political enemy; as, under the triumvirate, many of the best Roman citizens fell by proscription. Every victory by either party had been followed by a sanguinary proscription. Macaulay.
2. The state of being proscribed; denunciation; interdiction; prohibition. Macaulay.
PROSCRIPTIONALPro*scrip"tion*al, a.
Defn: Proscriptive.
PROSCRIPTIONISTPro*scrip"tion*ist, n.
Defn: One who proscribes.
PROSCRIPTIVEPro*scrip"tive, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to proscription; consisting in, or of the nature of, proscription; proscribing. Burke. — Pro*scrip"tive*ly, adv.
PROSE Prose, n. Etym: [F. prose, L. prosa, fr. prorsus, prosus, straight forward, straight on, for proversus; pro forward + versus, p. p. of vertere to turn. See Verse.]
1. The ordinary language of men in speaking or writing; language not cast in poetical measure or rhythm; — contradistinguished from verse, or metrical composition. I speak in prose, and let him rymes make. Chaucer. Things unattempted yet in prose or rhyme. Milton. I wish our clever young poets would remember my homely definitions of prose and poetry, that is; prose — words in their best order; poetry — the best order. Coleridge.
2. Hence, language which evinces little imagination or animation; dull and commonplace discourse.
3. (R. C. Ch.)
Defn: A hymn with no regular meter, sometimes introduced into theMass. See Sequence.
PROSEProse, a.
1. Pertaining to, or composed of, prose; not in verse; as, prose composition.
2. Possessing or exhibiting unpoetical characteristics; plain; dull; prosaic; as, the prose duties of life.
PROSEProse, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prosed; p. pr. & vb. n. Prosing.]
1. To write in prose.
2. To write or repeat in a dull, tedious, or prosy way.
PROSEProse, v. i.
1. To write prose. Prosing or versing, but chiefly this latter. Milton.
PROSECTOR Pro*sec"tor, n. Etym: [L., an anatomist, from prosecare to cut up; pro before + secare to cut.]
Defn: One who makes dissections for anatomical illustration; usually, the assistant of a professional anatomist.
PROSECUTABLEPros"e*cu`ta*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being prosecuted; liable to prosecution.
PROSECUTEPros"e*cute, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prosecuted; p. pr. & vb. n.Prosecuting.] Etym: [L. prosecutus, p. p. of prosequi to follow,pursue. See Pursue.]
1. To follow or pursue with a view to reach, execute, or accomplish; to endeavor to obtain or complete; to carry on; to continue; as, to prosecute a scheme, hope, or claim. I am beloved Hermia; Why should not I, then, prosecute my right Shak.
2. To seek to obtain by legal process; as, to prosecute a right or a claim in a court of law.
3. (Law)
Defn: To pursue with the intention of punishing; to accuse of some crime or breach of law, or to pursue for redress or punishment, before a legal tribunal; to proceed against judicially; as, to prosecute a man for trespass, or for a riot. To acquit themselves and prosecute their foes. Milton.
PROSECUTEPros"e*cute, v. i.
1. To follow after. [Obs.] Latimer.
2. (Law)
Defn: To institute and carry on a legal prosecution; as, to prosecute for public offenses. Blackstone.
PROSECUTIONPros`e*cu"tion, n. Etym: [L. prosecutio a following.]
1. The act or process of prosecuting, or of endeavoring to gain or accomplish something; pursuit by efforts of body or mind; as, the prosecution of a scheme, plan, design, or undertaking; the prosecution of war. Keeping a sharp eye on her domestics . . . in prosecution of their various duties. Sir W. Scott.
2. (Law) (a) The institution and carrying on of a suit in a court of law or equity, to obtain some right, or to redress and punish some wrong; the carrying on of a judicial proceeding in behalf of a complaining party, as distinguished from defense. (b) The institution, or commencement, and continuance of a criminal suit; the process of exhibiting formal charges against an offender before a legal tribunal, and pursuing them to final judgment on behalf of the state or government, as by indictment or information. (c) The party by whom criminal proceedings are instituted. Blackstone. Burrill. Mozley & W.
PROSECUTORPros"e*cu`tor, n. Etym: [Cf. L.prosecutor an attendant.]
1. One who prosecutes or carries on any purpose, plan, or business.
2. (Law)
Defn: The person who institutes and carries on a criminal suit against another in the name of the government. Blackstone.
PROSECUTRIXPros"e*cu`trix, n. Etym: [NL.]
Defn: A female prosecutor.
PROSELYTEPros"e*lyte, n. Etym: [OE. proselite, OF. proselite, F. proselytus,Gr.
Defn: A new convert especially a convert to some religion or religious sect, or to some particular opinion, system, or party; thus, a Gentile converted to Judaism, or a pagan converted to Christianity, is a proselyte. Ye [Scribes and Pharisees] compass sea and land to make one proselyte. Matt. xxiii. 15. Fresh confidence the speculatist takes From every harebrained proselyte he makes. Cowper.
Syn.— See Convert.
PROSELYTEPros"e*lyte, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Proselyted; p. pr. & vb. n.Proselyting.]
Defn: To convert to some religion, opinion, or system; to bring over.Dr. H. More.
PROSELYTISMPros"e*ly*tism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. prosélytisme.]
1. The act or practice of proselyting; the making of converts to a religion or a religious sect, or to any opinion, system, or party. They were possessed of a spirit of proselytism in the most fanatical degree. Burke.
2. Conversion to a religion, system, or party.
PROSELYTIZEPros"e*ly*tize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. proselytized; p. pr. & vb. n.Proselytizing.]
Defn: To convert to some religion, system, opinion, or the like; to bring, or cause to come, over; to proselyte. One of those whom they endeavor to proselytize. Burke.
PROSELYTIZEPros"e*ly*tize, v. i.
Defn: To make converts or proselytes.
PROSELYTIZERPros"e*ly*ti`zer, n.
Defn: One who proselytes.
PROSEMANProse"man, n.
Defn: A writer of prose. [R.]
PROSEMINARYPro*sem"i*na*ry, n.
Defn: A seminary which prepares pupils for a higher institution. T.Warton.
PROSEMINATION Pro*sem`i*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. proseminare, proseminatum, to disseminate.]
Defn: Propagation by seed. [Obs.] Sir M. Hale.
PROSENCEPHALICPros*en`ce*phal"ic, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the prosencephalon.
PROSENCEPHALON Pros`en*ceph"a*lon, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. encephalon.] [Sometimes abbreviated to proen.] (Anat.) (a) The anterior segment of the brain, including the cerebrum and olfactory lobes; the forebrain. (b) The cerebrum. Huxley.
PROSENCHYMAPros*en"chy*ma, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. -enchyma, as in parenchyma.](Bot.)
Defn: A general term applied to the tissues formed of elongated cells, especially those with pointed or oblique extremities, as the principal cells of ordinary wood.
PROSERPros"er, n.
1. A writer of prose. [Obs.]
2. One who talks or writes tediously. Sir W. Scott.
PROSILIENCYPro*sil"i*en*cy, n. Etym: [L. prosilere to leap forth.]
Defn: The act of leaping forth or forward; projection. "Such prosiliency of relief." Coleridge.
PROSILYPros"i*ly, adv.
Defn: In a prosy manner.
PROSIMETRICALPros`i*met"ric*al, a. Etym: [Prose + metrical.]
Defn: Consisting both of prose and verse. Clarke.
PROSIMIAEPro*sim"i*æ, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Pro-. and Simia.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Lemuroidea.
PROSINESSPros"i*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being prosy; tediousness; tiresomeness.
PROSINGPros"ing, n.
Defn: Writing prose; speaking or writing in a tedious or prosy manner. Sir W. Scott.
PROSINGLYPros"ing*ly, adv.
Defn: Prosily.
PROSIPHONPro*si"phon, n. Etym: [Pref. pro- for + siphon.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A minute tube found in the protocon
PROSIT Pro"sit, interj. [L., 3d pers. sing. subj. present of prodesse to do good; pro for + esse to be.]
Defn: Lit., may it do (you) good; — a salutation used in well wishing, esp. among Germans, as in drinking healths.
PROSLAVERYPro*slav"er*y, a. Etym: [Pref. pro- + slavery.]
Defn: Favoring slavery.— n.
Defn: Advocacy of slavery.
PROSOBRANCHPros"o*branch, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Prosobranchiata.
PROSOBRANCHIATAPros`o*bran`chi*a"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The highest division, or subclass, of gastropod mollusks, including those that have the gills situated anteriorly, or forward of the heart, and the sexes separate.
PROSOCOELEPros"o*coele, n. Etym: [Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The entire cavity of the prosencephalon. B. G. Wilder.
PROSOCOELIAPros`o*coe"li*a, n.; pl. Prosocoelle, Etym: [NL.] (Anat.)
Defn: Same as Prosocoele.
PROSODIACALPros`o*di"a*cal, a.
Defn: Prosodical.
PROSODIACALLYPros`o*di"a*cal*ly, adv.
Defn: Prosodically.
PROSODIALPro*so"di*al, a.
Defn: Prosodical.
PROSODIANPro*so"di*an, n.
Defn: A prosodist. Rush.
PROSODICALPro*sod"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. prosodique, L. prosodiacus.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to prosody; according to the rules of prosody.— Pro*sod"ic*al*ly, adv.
PROSODISTPros"o*dist, n.
Defn: One skilled in prosody.
PROSODYPros"o*dy, n. Etym: [L. prosodia the tone or accent of a syllable,Gr. prosodie. See Ode.]
Defn: That part of grammar which treats of the quantity of syllables, of accent, and of the laws of versification or metrical composition.
PROSOMAPro*so"ma, n.; pl. Prosomata. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The anterior of the body of an animal, as of a cephalopod; the thorax of an arthropod.
PROSOPALGIAPros`o*pal"gi*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Facial neuralgia.
PROSOPOCEPHALAPros`o*po*ceph`a*la, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Scaphopoda.
PROSOPOLEPSYPros`o*po*lep"sy, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Respect of persons; especially, a premature opinion or prejudice against a person, formed from his external appearance. [R.] Addison.
PROSOPOPOEIAPros`o*po*poe"ia, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Rhet.)
Defn: A figure by which things are represented as persons, or by which things inanimate are spoken of as animated beings; also, a figure by which an absent person is introduced as speaking, or a deceased person is represented as alive and present. It includes personification, but is more extensive in its signification.
PROSOPULMONATAPros`o*pul`mo*na"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. pulmo a lung.](Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of pulmonate mollusks having the breathing organ situated on the neck, as in the common snail.
PROSPECT Pros"pect, n. Etym: [L. prospectus, fr. prospicere, prospectum, to look forward; pro before, forward + specere, spicere, look, to see: cf. OF. prospect. See Spy, v., and cf. Prospectus.]
1. That which is embraced by eye in vision; the region which the eye overlooks at one time; view; scene; outlook. His eye discovers unaware The goodly prospect of some foreign land. Milton.
2. Especially, a picturesque or widely extended view; a landscape; hence, a sketch of a landscape. I went to Putney . . . to take prospects in crayon. Evelyn.
3. A position affording a fine view; a lookout. [R.] Him God beholding from his prospect high. Milton.
4. Relative position of the front of a building or other structure; face; relative aspect. And their prospect was toward the south. Ezek. xl. 44.
5. The act of looking forward; foresight; anticipation; as, a prospect of the future state. Locke. Is he a prudent man as to his temporal estate, that lays designs only for a day, without any prospect to, or provision for, the remaining part of life Tillotson.
6. That which is hoped for; ground for hope or expectation; expectation; probable result; as, the prospect of success. "To brighter prospects born." Cowper. These swell their prospectsd exalt their pride, When offers are disdain'd, and love deny'd. Pope.
PROSPECTPros"pect, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prospected; p. pr. & vb. n.Prospecting.]
Defn: To look over; to explore or examine for something; as, to prospect a district for gold.
PROSPECTPros"pect, v. i.
Defn: To make a search; to seek; to explore, as for mines or the like; as, to prospect for gold.
PROSPECTIONPro*spec"tion, n.
Defn: The act of looking forward, or of providing for future wants; foresight.
PROSPECTIVEPro*spec"tive, a. Etym: [L. prospectivus: cf. F. prospectif. SeeProspect, n.]
1. Of or pertaining to a prospect; furnishing a prospect; perspective. [Obs.] Time's long and dark prospective glass. Milton.
2. Looking forward in time; acting with foresight; — opposed to retrospective. The French king of Sweden are circumspect, industrious, and prospective, too, in this affair. Sir J. Child.
3. Being within view or consideration, as a future event or contingency; relating to the future: expected; as, a prospective benefit. Points on which the promises, at the time of ordination, had no prospective bearing. W. Jay.
PROSPECTIVEPro*spec"tive, n.
1. The scene before or around, in time or in space; view; prospect. Sir H. Wotton.
2. A perspective glass. [Obs.] Chaucer. Beau. & Fl.
PROSPECTIVELYPro*spec"tive*ly, adv.
Defn: In a prospective manner.
PROSPECTIVENESSPro*spec"tive*ness, n.
Defn: Quality of being prospective.
PROSPECTLESSPros"pect*less, a.
Defn: Having no prospect.
PROSPECTORPros"pect*or, n. Etym: [L., one who looks out.]
Defn: One who prospects; especially, one who explores a region for minerals and precious metals.
PROSPECTUS Pro*spec"tus, n. Etym: [L., a prospect, sight, view: cf. F. prospectus. See Prospect.]
Defn: A summary, plan, or scheme of something proposed, affording a prospect of its nature; especially, an exposition of the scheme of an unpublished literary work.
PROSPERPros"per, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prospered; p. pr. & vb. n. Prospering.]Etym: [F. prospérer v. i., or L. prosperare, v. i., or L. prosperare,v. t., fr. prosper or prosperus. See Prosperous.]
Defn: To favor; to render successful. "Prosper thou our handiwork."Bk. of Common Prayer.All things concur toprosper our design. Dryden.
PROSPERPros"per, v. i.
1. To be successful; to succeed; to be fortunate or prosperous; to thrive; to make gain. They, in their earthly Canaan placed, Long time shall dwell and prosper. Milton.
2. To grow; to increase. [Obs.] Black cherry trees prosper even to considerable timber. Evelyn.
PROSPERITYPros*per"i*ty, n. Etym: [F. prospérité, L. prosperitas. SeeProsperous.]
Defn: The state of being prosperous; advance or gain in anything good or desirable; successful progress in any business or enterprise; attainment of the object desired; good fortune; success; as, commercial prosperity; national prosperity. Now prosperity begins to mellow. Shak. Prosperities can only be enjoyed by them who fear not at all to lose the Jer. Taylor.
Syn.— Fortunate; successful; flourishing; thriving; favorable;auspicious; lucky. See Fortunate.— Pros"per*ous*ly, adv.— Pros"per*ous*ness, n.
PROSPEROUS Pros"per*ous, a. [L. prosperus or prosper, originally, answering to hope; pro according to + the root of sperare to hope. See Despair.]
1. Tending to prosperity; favoring; favorable; helpful.
A happy passage and a prosperous wind.Denham.
2. Being prospered; advancing in the pursuit of anything desirable; making gain, or increase; thriving; successful; as, a prosperous voyage; a prosperous undertaking; a prosperous man or nation.
By moderation either state to bearProsperous or adverse.Milton.
Syn. — Fortunate; successful; flourishing; thriving; favorable; auspicious; lucky. See Fortunate.
— Pros"per*ous*ly, adv. —Pros"per*ous*ness, n.
PROSPHYSISPros"phy*sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: A growing together of parts; specifically, a morbid adhesion of the eyelids to each other or to the eyeball. Dunglison.
PROSPICIENCE Pro*spi"cience, n. Etym: [L. prospicientia, fr. prospiciens, p. pr. of prospicere. See Prospect.]
Defn: The act of looking forward.
PROSTATEPros"tate, a.Etym: [Gr. prostate.] (Anat.)
Defn: Standing before; — applied to a gland which is found in the males of most mammals, and is situated at the neck of the bladder where this joins the urethra. — n.
Defn: The prostate gland.
PROSTATICPro*stat"ic, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the prostate gland. Prostatic catheter.(Med.) See under Catheter.
PROSTATITISPros`ta*ti"tis, n. Etym: [NL. See Prostate, and -itis.] (Med.)
Defn: Inflammation of the prostate.
PROSTERNATIONPros`ter*na"tion, n. Etym: [F. See Prostration.]
Defn: Dejection; depression. [Obs.] Wiseman.
PROSTERNUMPro*ster"num, n. Etym: [NL. See Pro- and Sternum.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The ventral plate of the prothorax of an insect.
PROSTHESISPros"the*sis, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.
1. (Surg.)
Defn: The addition to the human body of some artificial part, to replace one that is wanting, as a log or an eye; — called also prothesis.
2. (Gram.)
Defn: The prefixing of one or more letters to the beginning of a word, as in beloved.
PROSTHETICPros*thet"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. Gr.
Defn: Of or pertaining to prosthesis; prefixed, as a letter or letters to a word.
PROSTIBULOUSPros*tib"u*lous, a. Etym: [L. prostibulum prostitute.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to prostitutes or prostitution; meretricious.[Obs.] Bale.
PROSTITUTEPros"ti*tute, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prostituted; p. pr. & vb. n.Prostituting.] Etym: [L. prostitutus, p. p. of prostituere toprostitute; pro before, forth + statuere to put, place. See Statute.]
1. To offer, as a woman, to a lewd use; to give up to lewdness for hire. "Do not prostitute thy daughter." Lev. xix. 29.
2. To devote to base or unworthy purposes; to give up to low or indiscriminate use; as, to prostitute talents; to prostitute official powers. Milton.
PROSTITUTEPros"ti*tute, a. Etym: [L. prostitutus, p. p.]
Defn: Openly given up to lewdness; devoted to base or infamouspurposes.Made bold by want, and prostitute for bread. Prior
PROSTITUTEPros"ti*tute, n. Etym: [L. prostituta.]
1. A woman giver to indiscriminate lewdness; a strumpet; a harlot.
2. A base hireling; a mercenary; one who offers himself to infamous employments for hire. No hireling she, no prostitute to praise. Pope.
PROSTITUTIONPros`ti*tu"tion, n. Etym: [L. prostitutio: cf. F. prostitution.]
1. The act or practice of prostituting or offering the body to an indiscriminate intercourse with men; common lewdness of a woman.
2. The act of setting one's self to sale, or of devoting to infamous purposes what is in one's power; as, the prostitution of abilities; the prostitution of the press. "Mental prostitution." Byron.
PROSTITUTORPros"ti*tu`tor, n. Etym: [L.]
Defn: One who prostitutes; one who submits himself, of or offers another, to vile purposes. Bp. Hurd.
PROSTOMIUMPro*sto"mi*um, n.; pl. Prostomia. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: That portion of the head of an annelid situated in front of themouth.— Pro*sto"mi*al, a.
PROSTRATEPros"trate, a. Etym: [L. prostratus, p. p. of prosternere toprostrate; pro before, forward + sternere to spread out, throw down.See Stratum.]
1. Lying at length, or with the body extended on the ground or other surface; stretched out; as, to sleep prostrate Elyot. Groveling and prostrate on yon lake of fire. Milton.
2. Lying at mercy, as a supplicant. Dryden.
3. Lying in a humble, lowly, or suppliant posture. Prostrate fall Before him reverent, and there confess Humbly our faults. Milton.
4. (Bot.)
Defn: Trailing on the ground; procumbent.
PROSTRATEPros"trate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prostrated; p. pr. & vb. n.Prostrating.]
1. To lay fiat; to throw down; to level; to fell; as, to prostrate the body; to prostrate trees or plants. Evelyn.
2. to overthrow; to demolish; to destroy; to deprive of efficiency; to ruin; as, to prostrate a village; to prostrate a government; to prostrate law or justice.
3. To throw down, or cause to fall in humility or adoration; to cause to bow in humble reverence; used reflexively; as, he prostrated himself. Milman.
4. To cause to sink totally; to deprive of strength; to reduce; as, a person prostrated by fever.
PROSTRATIONPros*tra"tion, n. Etym: [L. prostratio: cf. F. prostration.]
1. The act of prostrating, throwing down, or laying fiat; as, the prostration of the body.
2. The act of falling down, or of bowing in humility or adoration; primarily, the act of falling on the face, but usually applied to kneeling or bowing in reverence and worship. A greater prostration of reason than of body. Shak.
3. The condition of being prostrate; great depression; lowness; dejection; as, a postration of spirits. "A sudden prostration of strength." Arbuthnot.
4. (Med.)
Defn: A latent, not an exhausted, state of the vital energies; great oppression of natural strength and vigor.
Note: Prostration, in its medical use, is analogous to the state of a spring lying under such a weight that it is incapable of action; while exhaustion is analogous to the state of a spring deprived of its elastic powers. The word, however, is often used to denote any great depression of the vital powers.
PROSTYLEPro"style, a. Etym: [L. prostylus, Gr. prostyle.] (Arch.)
Defn: Having columns in front.— n.
Defn: A prostyle portico or building.
PROSYPros"y, a. [Compar. Prosier; superl. Prosiest.]
1. Of or pertaining to prose; like prose.
2. Dull and tedious in discourse or writing; prosaic.
PROSYLOGISMPro*sy"lo*gism, n. Etym: [Pref. pro- + syllogism.] (Logic)
Defn: A syllogism preliminary or logically essential to another syllogism; the conclusion of such a syllogism, which becomes a premise of the following syllogism.
PROTACTICPro*tac"tic, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Giving a previous narrative or explanation, as of the plot or personages of a play; introductory. = 32,500 yrs.) Also called brevium, Uranium X2 and UX2.
PROTAGONPro"ta*gon, n. Etym: [Proto- + Gr. Protagonist. So called because itwas the first definitely ascertained principle of the brain.](Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: A nitrogenous phosphorized principle found in brain tissue. By decomposition it yields neurine, fatty acids, and other bodies.
PROTAGONISTPro*tag"o*nist, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: One who takes the leading part in a drama; hence, one who takeslead in some great scene, enterprise, conflict, or the like.Shakespeare, the protagonist on the great of modern poetry. DeQuincey.
PROTAMINPro"ta*min, n. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: An amorphous nitrogenous substance found in the spermatic fluid of salmon. It is soluble in water, which an alkaline reaction, and unites with acids and metallic bases.
PROTANDRICPro*tan"dric, a. Etym: [Proto- + Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having male sexual organs while young, and female organs laterin life.— Pro*tan"trism, n.
PROTANDROUSPro*tan"drous, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Proterandrous.
PROTASISProt"a*sis, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.
1. A proposition; a maxim. Johnson.
2. (Gram.)
Defn: The introductory or subordinate member of a sentence, generally of a conditional sentence; — opposed to apodosis. See Apodosis.
3. The first part of a drama, of a poem, or the like; the introduction; opposed to epitasis. B. Jonson.
PROTATICPro*tat"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. protaticus, F. protatique.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to the protasis of an ancient play; introductory.
PROTEACEOUSPro`te*a"ceous, a. Etym: [From Proteus.] (Bot.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Proteaceæ, an order of apetalous evergreen shrubs, mostly natives of the Cape of Good Hope or of Australia.
PROTEANPro"te*an, a.
1. Of or pertaining to Proteus; characteristic of Proteus. " Protean transformations." Cudworth.
2. Exceedingly variable; readily assuming different shapes or forms; as, an amoeba is a protean animalcule.
PROTEANLYPro"te*an*ly, adv.
Defn: In a protean manner. Cudworth.
PROTECTPro*tect", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Protected; p. pr. & vb. n.Protecting.] Etym: [L. protectus, p. p. of protegere, literally, tocover in front; pro before + tegere to cover. See Tegument.]
Defn: To cover or shield from danger or injury; to defend; to guard; to preserve in safety; as, a father protects his children. The gods of Greece protect you! Shak.
Syn.— To guard; shield; preserve. See Defend.
PROTECTINGLYPro*tect"ing*ly, adv.
Defn: By way of protection; in a protective manner.
PROTECTIONPro*tec"tion, n. Etym: [L. protectio: cf. F. protection.]
1. The act of protecting, or the state of being protected; preservation from loss, injury, or annoyance; defense; shelter; as, the weak need protection. To your protection I commend me, gods. Shak.
2. That which protects or preserves from injury; a defense; a shield; a refuge. Let them rise up . . . and be your protection. Deut. xxxii. 38.
3. A writing that protects or secures from molestation or arrest; a pass; a safe-conduct; a passport. He . . . gave them protections under his hand. Macaulay.
4. (Polit. Econ.)
Defn: A theory, or a policy, of protecting the producers in a country from foreign competition in the home market by the imposition of such discriminating duties on goods of foreign production as will restrict or prevent their importation; — opposed to free trade. Writ of protection. (Law) (a) A writ by which the king formerly exempted a person from arrest; — now disused. [Eng.] Blackstone. (b) A judicial writ issued to a person required to attend court, as party, juror, etc., intended to secure him from arrest in coming, staying, and returning.
Syn.— Preservation; defense; guard; shelter; refuge; security; safety.
PROTECTIONISMPro*tec"tion*ism, n. (Polit. Econ.)
Defn: The doctrine or policy of protectionists. See Protection, 4.
PROTECTIONISTPro*tec"tion*ist, n. (Polit. Econ.)
Defn: One who favors protection. See Protection, 4.
PROTECTIVEPro*tect"ive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. protectif.]
Defn: Affording protection; sheltering; defensive. " The favor of a protective Providence." Feltham. Protective coloring (Zoöl.), coloring which serves for the concealment and preservation of a living organism. Cf. Mimicry. Wallace. — Protective tariff (Polit. Econ.), a tariff designed to secure protection (see Protection, 4.), as distinguished from a tariff designed to raise revenue. See Tariff, and Protection, 4.
PROTECTIVENESSPro*tect"ive*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being protective. W. Pater.
PROTECTORPro*tect"or, n. Etym: [L.: cf. F. protecteur.]
1. One who, or that which, defends or shields from injury, evil, oppression, etc.; a defender; a guardian; a patron. For the world's protector shall be known. Waller.
2. (Eng. Hist.)
Defn: One having the care of the kingdom during the king's minority;a regent.Is it concluded he shall be protector ! Shak.
3. (R. C. Ch.)
Defn: A cardinal, from one of the more considerable Roman Catholic nations, who looks after the interests of his people at Rome; also, a cardinal who has the same relation to a college, religious order, etc. Lord Protector (Eng. Hist.), the title of Oliver Cromwell as supreme governor of the British Commonwealth (1653-1658).
PROTECTORALPro*tect"or*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a protector; protectorial; as, protectoral power.
PROTECTORATEPro*tect"or*ate, n. Etym: [Cf. F. protectorat.]
1. Government by a protector; — applied especially to the government of England by Oliver Cromwell.
2. The authority assumed by a superior power over an inferior or a dependent one, whereby the former protects the latter from invasion and shares in the management of its affairs.
PROTECTORIALPro`tec*to"ri*al, a. Etym: [Cf. L. protectorius.]
Defn: Same as Protectoral.
PROTECTORLESSPro*tect"or*less, a.
Defn: Having no protector; unprotected.
PROTECTORSHIPPro*tect"or*ship
Defn: , The office of a protector or regent; protectorate.
PROTECTRESS; PROTECTRIXPro*tect"ress, Pro*tect"rix, n. Etym: [NL. protectrix.]
Defn: A woman who protects.
PROTEGE; PROTEGEEPro`té`gé", n. m. Pro`té`gée", n. f. Etym: [F., p. p. of protéger.See Protect.]
Defn: One under the care and protection of another.
PROTEIDPro"te*id, n. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: One of a class of amorphous nitrogenous principles, containing, as a rule, a small amount of sulphur; an albuminoid, as blood fibrin, casein of milk, etc. Proteids are present in nearly all animal fluids and make up the greater part of animal tissues and organs. They are also important constituents of vegetable tissues. See 2d Note under Food. — Pro"te*id, a.
PROTEIDEAPro`te*id"e*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Proteus, and -oid.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: An order of aquatic amphibians having prominent external gills and four legs. It includes Proteus and Menobranchus (Necturus). Called also Proteoidea, and Proteida.
PROTEIFORMPro*te"i*form, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Changeable in form; resembling a Proteus, or an amoeba.
PROTEIN Pro"te*in, n. Etym: [Gr. prw os first: cf. prwtei^on the first place.] (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: A body now known as alkali albumin, but originally considered to be the basis of all albuminous substances, whence its name. Protein crystal. (Bot.) See Crystalloid, n., 2.
PROTEINACEOUSPro`te*i*na"*ceous, a. (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: Of or related to protein; albuminous; proteid.
PROTEINOUSPro*te"i*nous, a.
Defn: Proteinaceuos.
PROTELESPro"te*les, n. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A South Africa genus of Carnivora, allied to the hyenas, but smaller and having weaker jaws and teeth. It includes the aard-wolf.
PROTENDPro*tend" v. t. [imp. & p. p. Protended; p. pr. & vb. n. Protending.]Etym: [L. protendere, protensum; pro before, forth + tendere tostretch.]
Defn: To hold out; to stretch forth. [Obs.] With his protended lance he makes defence. Dryden .
PROTENSEPro*tense", n. Etym: [See Protend.]
Defn: Extension.[Obs.] " By due degrees and long protense." Spenser.
PROTENSIONPro*ten"sion, n. Etym: [L. protensio.]
Defn: A drawing out; extension. [R.] Sir W. Hamilton.
PROTENSIVEPro*ten"sive, a.
Defn: Drawn out; extended. [R.]Time is a protensive quantity. Sir W. Hamilton.
PROTEOLYSISPro`te*ol"y*sis, n. Etym: [NL. See Proteolytic.] (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: The digestion or dissolving of proteid matter by proteolytic ferments.
PROTEOLYTICPro`te*o*lyt"ic, a. Etym: [Proteid + Gr. (Physiol.)
Defn: Converting proteid or albuminous matter into soluble and diffusible products, as peptones. " The proteolytic ferment of the pancreas." Foster.
PROTEOSEPro"te*ose`, n. [Proteid + -ose.] (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: One of a class of soluble products formed in the digestion of proteids with gastric and pancreatic juice, and also by the hydrolytic action of boiling dilute acids on proteids. Proteoses are divided into the two groups, the primary and secondary proteoses.
PROTERANDROUSPro`ter*an"drous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Having the stamens come to maturity before the pistil; — opposed to proterogynous.
PROTERANDRYPro`ter*an"dry, n. (Bot.)
Defn: The condition of being proterandrous.
PROTERANTHOUSPro`ter*an"thous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Having flowers appearing before the leaves; — said of certain plants. Gray.
PROTEROGLYPHAPro`te*rog"ly*pha, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A suborder of serpents including those that have permanently erect grooved poison fangs, with ordinary teeth behind them in the jaws. It includes the cobras, the asps, and the sea snakes. Called also Proteroglyphia.
PROTEROGYNOUSPro`ter*og"y*nous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Having the pistil come to maturity before the stamens; protogynous; — opposed to proterandrous.
PROTEROSAURUSPro`te*ro*sau"rus, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Paleon.)
Defn: An extinct genus of reptiles of the Permian period. Called alsoProtosaurus.
PROTERVITYPro*ter"vi*ty, n. Etym: [L. protervitas, from protervus violent.]
Defn: Peevishness; petulance. [Obs.] Fuller.
PROTESTPro*test", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Protested; p. pr. & vb. n.Protesting.] Etym: [F. protester, L. protestari, pro before + testarito 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.
PROTESTPro*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.
PROTESTPro"test, n. Etym: [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.
PROTESTANCYProt"es*tan*cy, n.
Defn: Protestantism. [R.]
PROTESTANT Prot"es*tant, n. Etym: [F. protestant, fr. L. protestans, -antis, p. pr. of protestare. See Protest, v.]
Defn: One who protests; — originally applied to those who adhered to Luther, and protested against, or made a solemn declaration of dissent from, a decree of the Emperor Charles V. and the Diet of Spires, in 1529, against the Reformers, and appealed to a general council; — now used in a popular sense to designate any Christian who does not belong to the Roman Catholic or the Greek Church.
PROTESTANTProt"es*tant, a. Etym: [Cf. F. protestant.]