1. (n.) The act of making a protest; a public avowal; a solemn declaration, especially of dissent.

2. (n.) Formerly, 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.

affirmance affirmation alibi allegation announcement annunciation apology assertion asseveration averment avouchment avowal beef bitch blind boycott challenge cloak color complaint compunction conclusion cover cover story cover-up creed declaration demonstration demur demurrer device dictum enunciation exception excuse expostulation facade feint front gloss grievance grievance committee guise handle howl indignation meeting ipse dixit kick lame excuse locus standi manifesto march mask nonviolent protest objection ostensible motive picketing poor excuse position position paper positive declaration predicate predication pretense pretension pretext proclamation profession pronouncement proposition protest protest demonstration public motive put-off qualm rally refuge remonstrance remonstration say say-so saying screen scruple semblance sham show sit-in smoke screen squawk stalking-horse stance stand statement stratagem strike subterfuge teach-in trick utterance varnish veil vouch word