remonstrate
English
WOTD – 2 March 2007
Etymology
From (the participle stem of) Late Latin remōnstrō, from Latin re- + mōnstrō.
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈɹɛ.mən.stɹeɪt/
- (US) IPA(key): /ˈɹɛ.mən.stɹeɪt/
Audio (US) (file) Audio (AU) (file)
Verb
remonstrate (third-person singular simple present remonstrates, present participle remonstrating, simple past and past participle remonstrated)
- (intransitive) To object with in critical fashion; to express disapproval (with, against).
- 1724, Jonathan Swift, The Drapier's Letters, Letter 4:
- Whitshed, the Chief Justice, consistently with his action on a previous occasion (see volume vii.), angrily remonstrated with the jury, demanded of them their reasons for such a decision, and finally dissolved them.
- 2005, Rich Bowden, "Japanese P.M. Apologizes for Wartime Aggression," World Press Review, 26 April (retrieved 2 Aug. 2010),
- Following weeks of bitter protests by Chinese demonstrators remonstrating against Japanese wartime atrocities, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has moved to heal the rift between the two nations by apologizing for Japan’s World War II record.
- November 2 2014, Daniel Taylor, "Sergio Agüero strike wins derby for Manchester City against 10-man United," guardian.co.uk
- Wayne Rooney spent much of the game remonstrating with Oliver about his own grievances and, in the interest of balance, there were certainly occasions when United had legitimate complaints.
- 1724, Jonathan Swift, The Drapier's Letters, Letter 4:
- (intransitive, chiefly historical) Specifically, to lodge an official objection (especially by means of a remonstrance) with a monarch or other ruling body.
- 2002, Colin Jones, The Great Nation, Penguin 2003, page 233:
- In 1753-4, the Parlements of Aix, Bordeaux, Rennes and Rouen remonstrated in support of the exiled Paris institution.
- 2002, Colin Jones, The Great Nation, Penguin 2003, page 233:
- (transitive, often with an object consisting of direct speech or a clause beginning with that) To state or plead as an objection, formal protest, or expression of disapproval.
- 1860 December – 1861 August, Charles Dickens, chapter IV, in Great Expectations […], volume II, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published October 1861, OCLC 3359935, page 69:
- "Belinda," remonstrated Mr. Pocket, from the other end of the table, "how can you be so unreasonable? […] "
- 1988, Martin Tolchin and Barbara Gamarekian, "What's in a Name?," New York Times, 18 May (retrieved 2 Aug 2010):
- In a recent column in The New York Times, William Safire referred to Mr. Morris as Ed. This prompted Mr. Morris to write "an open letter" to Mr. Safire remonstrating that, in his case, such usage "grates like sand in salad."
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- To point out; to show clearly; to make plain or manifest; hence, to prove; to demonstrate.
- 1651, Jer[emy] Taylor, “[XXVIII Sermons Preached at Golden Grove; Being for the Summer Half-year, […].] ”, in ΕΝΙΑΥΤΟΣ [Eniautos]. A Course of Sermons for All the Sundays of the Year. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Richard Royston […], published 1654, OCLC 1051524189:
- I might remonstrate how great, and how sure , and how persevering mercies a pious father of a family may derive upon his succeeding generations
- 1600 (first performance), Benjamin Jonson [i.e., Ben Jonson], “Cynthias Revels, or The Fountayne of Selfe-Loue. […]”, in The Workes of Ben Jonson (First Folio), London: […] Will[iam] Stansby, published 1616, OCLC 960101342:
- I will remonstrate to you the third dor.
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Synonyms
- demur, expostulate
Related terms
Terms etymologically related to remonstrate
- remonstrance
- remonstratingly
- remonstration
- remonstrative
- remonstratively
Translations
intransitive - to object or protest
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(historical) to lodge an official objection
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transitive - to state as a protest or expression of disapproval
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transitive - to prove
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Anagrams
- natrometers