dissent

Etymology

From Middle English dissenten, from Latin dissentire (“to differ in sentiments, disagree, be at odds, contradict, quarrel”), from dis- + sentire (see sense).

verb

  1. (intransitive) To disagree; to withhold assent. Construed with from (or, formerly, to).
    Where a trustee refuses either to assent or dissent, the Court will itself exercise his authority. 1827, Thomas Jarman, Powell's Essay on Devises, section 2.293
    Those who openly dissented from the acts which the King had carried through the Parliament. 1830, Isaac D'Israeli, Commentaries on the Life and Reign of Charles the First, 3.9.207
  2. (intransitive) To differ from, especially in opinion, beliefs, etc.
    Some are so eristical and teasty, that they will not ... bear with any that dissent. 1654, John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon the Book of Job, section 33.32
    Natural reason dictates, that motion ought to be assigned to the bodies, which in kind and essence most agree with those bodies which do undoubtedly move, and rest to those which most dissent from them. 1662 Thomas Salusbury, Galileo's Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems (Dialogue 2)
    If the public dissent from our views, we say that they ought to concur with us. 1871, George Grote, Fragments on Ethical Subjects, section 2.37
  3. (obsolete) To be different; to have contrary characteristics.

noun

  1. Disagreement with the ideas, doctrines, decrees, etc. of a political party, government or religion.
    A system that suppresses dissent is fault-intolerant, ignorant and fragile. June 28, 2013, Charles Hugh Smith, Why Centralization Leads to Collapse
  2. An act of disagreeing with, or deviating from, the views and opinions of those holding authority.
  3. (Anglo-American common law) A separate opinion filed in a case by judges who disagree with the outcome of the majority of the court in that case
  4. (sports) A violation that arises when disagreement with an official call is expressed in an inappropriate manner such as foul language, rude gestures, or failure to comply.
    City had been woeful, their anger at their own inertia summed up when Samir Nasri received a booking for dissent, and they did not have a shot on target until the 66th minute. 9 March 2014, Jacob Steinberg, “Wigan shock Manchester City in FA Cup again to reach semi-finals”, in The Guardian

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