protestation

English

From Old French protestacion, from Latin prōtestātiō.

protestation (countable and uncountable, plural protestations)

A formal solemn objection or other declaration.
- October 28, 1552, Hugh Latimer, Sermon on the Gospel for St Simon and St Jude's Day
  The protestation of our faith.
- 1820, [Walter Scott], chapter XV, in The Abbot. […], volume I, Edinburgh: […] [James Ballantyne & Co.] for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, […]; and for Archibald Constable and Company, and John Ballantyne, […], →OCLC, page 335:
  “These are but words, young man,” answered Glendinning, “large protestations are often used to supply the place of effectual service. […]”
- 1838 (date written), L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XI, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], published 1842, →OCLC, page 143:
  Mechanically he retained the hand that trembled in his own—but Isabella needed no protestations—one word from his mouth had been enough, and she sat in silent "measureless content."
(law, historical) A declaration in common-law pleading, by which the party interposes an oblique allegation or denial of some fact, protesting that it does or does not exist, and at the same time avoiding a direct affirmation or denial.