protest
Definitions
A public expression of strong objection or disapproval; a demonstration
抗议；示威活动
To object to or speak out strongly against something
抗议，反对，强烈表示反对
To declare something firmly and publicly, especially one's innocence
公开郑重声明（尤指自己无辜）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedpro- (forward, publicly) + test (bear witness) = to declare something openly and forcefully before everyone. The neutral original — 'to affirm publicly' — survives in 'protest one's innocence.' Since people most often stood up publicly to object, the word slid into its dominant modern sense: to oppose, to demonstrate against.
Root test still carries 11 more wordsUsage Guide
- Stress shift: PRO-test (noun, the demonstration) vs pro-TEST (verb, to object).
- AmE vs BrE pattern: Americans protest something directly (protest the decision); the British usually protest against / about something.
- Formal sense 'protest one's innocence / loyalty' = to declare it emphatically, not to object.
Example Sentences
- 1.
Thousands joined the protest against the new law.
- 2.
Students protested outside the government building all day.
- 3.
He protested that he had never seen the document before.
- 4.
She protested her innocence throughout the trial.