| dissent | 1. To differ in opinion; to be of unlike or contrary sentiment; to disagree; followed by from. "The bill passed . . . Without a dissenting voice." (Hallam) "Opinions in which multitudes of men dissent from us." (Addison) 2. To differ from an established church in regard to doctrines, rites, or government. 3. To differ; to be of a contrary nature. Origin: L. Dissentire, dissentum; dis- + sentire to feel, think. See Sense. 1. 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) 2. Separation from an established church, especially that of England; nonconformity. "It is the dissidence of dissent and the protestantism of the Protestant religion." (Burke) 3. Contrariety of nature; diversity in quality. "The dissent of the metals." (Bacon) Synonym: Disagreement, variance, difference, nonconcurrence, nonconformity. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| dissenter | 1. One who dissents; one who differs in opinion, or declares his disagreement. 2. One who separates from the service and worship of an established church; especially, one who disputes the authority or tenets of the Church of England; a nonconformist. "Dissenters from the establishment of their several countries." (Burke) "Robert Brown is said to have the first formal dissenter." (Shipley) "The word is commonly applied only to Protestants. The Roman Catholics are generally referred to as a distinct class." Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| dissepiment | <plant biology> A partition (septum) within an ovary or fruit, derived by fusion of adjacent carpels. (11 Jan 1998) |
| dissertations, academic | Dissertations embodying results of original research and especially substantiating a specific view, e.g., substantial papers written by candidates for an academic degree under the individual direction of a professor or papers written by undergraduates desirous of achieving honors or distinction. (12 Dec 1998) |