What does "dissent" mean?

Dissent: (Eccl.) To differ from an established church in regard to doctrines, rites, or government.

Additional senses

  1. 2.To differ; to be of a contrary nature. Hooker.
  2. 3.The act of dissenting; difference of opinion; refusal to adopt something proposed; nonagreement, nonconcurrence, or disagreement. The dissent of no small number [of peers] is frequently recorded. Hallam.
  3. 4.(Eccl.) Separation from an established church, especially that of England; nonconformity. It is the dissidence of dissent and the protestantism of the Protestant religion. Burke.
  4. 5.Contrariety of nature; diversity in quality. [Obs.] The dissent of the metals. Bacon.

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