Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Remonstrate?

\Re*mon"strate\ (-str?t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Remonstrated} (-str?*t?d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Remonstrating}.] [LL. remonstratus, p. p. of remonstrare to remonstrate; L. pref. re- + monstrare to show. See {Monster}.] To point out; to show clearly; to make plain or manifest; hence, to prove; to demonstrate. [Obs.] --Jer. Taylor. I will remonstrate to you the third door. --B. Jonson.
\Re*mon"strate\, v. i. To present and urge reasons in opposition to an act, measure, or any course of proceedings; to expostulate; as, to remonstrate with a person regarding his habits; to remonstrate against proposed taxation. It is proper business of a divine to state cases of conscience, and to remonstrate against any growing corruptions in practice, and especially in principles. --Waterland. Syn: {Expostulate}, {Remonstrate}. Usage: These words are commonly interchangeable, the principal difference being that expostulate is now used especially to signify remonstrance by a superior or by one in authority. A son remonstrates against the harshness of a father; a father expostulates with his son on his waywardness. Subjects remonstrate with their rulers; sovereigns expostulate with the parliament or the people.