Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PRO-SYL'LO-GISM, n. [pro and syllogism.]

A prosyllogism is when two or more syllogisms are so connected that the conclusion of the former is the major or minor of the following. – Watts.

PRO-TANTO, adv. [Pro tanto; L.]

For so much.

PRO'TA-SIS, n. [Gr. προτασις, from προτεινω, to present.]

1. A proposition; a maxim. – Johnson.
2. In the ancient drama, the first part of a comic or tragic piece, in which the several persons are shown, their characters intimated, and the subject proposed and entered on. The protasis might extend to two acts, where it ended, and the epitasis commenced. – Encyc.
3. The antecedent term of a proposition.

PRO-TAT'IC, a. [Gr. προτατικος.]

Being placed in the beginning; previous. – Dryden.

PRO'TE-AN, a.

Pertaining to Proteus; readily assuming different shapes. [See Proteus.]

PRO-TECT', v.t. [L. protectus, protego; pro and tego, to cover; Gr. στεγω, with a prefix; Eng. deck. See Deck.]

To cover or shield from danger or injury; to defend; to guard; to preserve in safety; a word of general import both in a literal and figurative sense. Walls protect a city or garrison; clothing is designed to protect the body from cold; arms may protect one from an assault; our houses protect us from the inclemencies of the weather; the law protects our persons and property; the father protects his children, and the guardian his ward; a shade protects us from extreme heat; a navy protects our commerce and our shores; embassadors are protected from arrest.

PRO-TECT'ED, pp.

Covered or defended from injury; preserved in safety.

PRO-TECT'ING, ppr.

Shielding from injury; defending; preserving in safety.

PRO-TECT'ING-LY, adv.

By protecting. – Carlisle.

PRO-TEC'TION, n.

1. The act of protecting; defense; shelter from evil; preservation from loss, injury or annoyance. We find protection under good laws and an upright administration. How little are men disposed to acknowledge divine protection!
2. That which protects or preserves from injury. Let them rise up and help you, and be your protection. – Deut. xxxii.
3. A writing that protects; a passport or other writing which secures from molestation.
4. Exemption. Embassadors at foreign courts are entitled to protection from arrest. Members of parliament, representatives and senators, are entitled to protection from arrest during their attendance on the legislature, as are suitors and witnesses attending a court. Writ of protection, a writ by which the king of Great Britain exempts a person from arrest. – Blackstone.

PRO-TECT'IVE, a.

Affording protection; sheltering; defensive. – Thomson.

PRO-TECT'OR, n. [Fr. protecteur.]

1. One that defends or shields from injury, evil or oppression; a defender; a guardian. The king or sovereign is, or ought to be, the protector of the notion; the husband is the protector of his wife, and the father of his children.
2. In England, one who formerly had the care of the kingdom during the king's minority; a regent. Cromwell assumed the title of lord Protector.
3. In catholic countries, every nation and every religious order has a protector residing at Rome. He is a cardinal, and called cardinal protector.

PRO-TECT'OR-ATE, n.

Government by a protector. – Walpole.

PRO-TECT'OR-LESS, a.

Having no protector. – Carlisle.

PRO-TECT'OR-SHIP, n.

The office of a protector or regent. – Burnet.

PRO-TECT'RESS, a.

A woman or female that protects. – Bacon. Addison.

PRO'TEGE, n. [Fr.]

One under the care and protection of another.

PRO-TEMPORE, adv. [Pro tempore; L.]

For the time being; as a temporary supply or provision.

PRO-TEND, v.t. [L. protendo; pro and tendo, to stretch.]

To hold out; to stretch forth. With his protended lance he makes defense. – Dryden.

PRO-TEND'ED, pp.

Reached or stretched forth. – Mitford.

PRO-TEND'ING, ppr.

Stretching forth.

PRO-TENSE, n. [protens'.]

Extension. [Not used.] – Spenser.

PRO-TERV'I-TY, n. [L. protervitas, from protervus; pro and torvus, crabbed.]

Peevishness; petulance. [Little used.]

PRO'TEST, n.

1. A solemn declaration of opinion, commonly against some act; appropriately, a formal and solemn declaration in writing of dissent from the proceedings of a legislative body; as, the protest of lords in parliament, or a like declaration of dissent of any minority against the proceedings of a majority of a body of men.
2. In commerce, a formal declaration made by a notary public, under hand and seal, at the request of the payee or holder of a bill of exchange, for non-acceptance or non-payment of the same, protesting against the drawer and others concerned, for the exchange, charges, damages and interest. This protest is written on a copy of the bill, and notice given to the indorser of the same, by which he becomes liable to pay the amount of the bill, with charges, damages and interest; also, a like declaration against the drawer of a note of hand for non-payment to a banking corporation, and of the master of a vessel against seizure, &c. A protest is also a writing attested by a justice of the peace or consul, drawn by the master of a vessel, stating the severity of the voyage by which the ship has suffered, and showing that the damage suffered was not owing to the neglect or misconduct of the master.

PRO-TEST', v.i. [L. protestor; pro and testor, to affirm; It. protestare; Fr. protester; Sp. protestar.]

1. To affirm with solemnity; to make a solemn declaration of a fact or opinion; as, I protest to you, I have no knowledge of the transaction.
2. To make a solemn declaration expressive of opposition; with against; as, he protests against your votes. – Denham. The conscience has power to protest against the exorbitancies of the passions. – South.
3. To make a formal declaration in writing against a public law or measure. It is the privilege of any lord in parliament to protest against a law or resolution.