remonstrate, v.
(ˈrɛmənstreɪt, older rɪˈmɒn-)
[ad. med.L. remonstrāt-, ppl. stem of remonstrāre to demonstrate, f. re- re- + monstrāre to show. Cf. OF. remonstrer (14th c.; mod.F. remontrer).]
† 1. a. trans. To make plain or manifest, demonstrate, exhibit, show. Also const. to a person. Obs. (common in 17th c.)
| 1599 B. Jonson Cynthia's Rev. v. ii, But I will remonstrate to you the third dor, which is not..indicative, but deliberative. 1604 T. Wright Passions ii. i. 54 Wee may aptly remonstrate, how inordinate Passions cause and ingenerate in the soul all those vices. 1658 R. Franck North. Mem. (1821) p. xxvii, Let my writings therefore remonstrate my experiments and my experiments manifest my zeal for solitudes. 1682 H. More Annot. Glanvill's Lux O. 98 That he may remonstrate the Soul of the Messiah to be his most special Favourite. 1742 Young Nt. Th. ix. 1636 With what authority it gives its charge, Remonstrating great truths in stile sublime. |
† b. To declare or represent that, etc. Obs.
| 1647 in Neal Hist. Purit. (1754) II. ix. 296 The house of commons having remonstrated..that it was far from their purpose to abolish this government, but only to regulate it. 1680 Aubrey in Lett. Eminent Persons (1813) III. 364 Mr. Edw. Wood was the spokes-man: remonstrated that they were Oxon. scholars. 1755 N. Magens Insurances I. 164 It was remonstrated to the Assured that it was necessary to see the Invoice of the Cost of..the Cargo. |
† 2. a. To point out (a fault, etc.) to another by way of reproof, disapprobation, or complaint; to protest against (a wrong). Also const. to. Obs.
| 1627 Lisander & Cal. iv. 75 Shee only gently remonstrated unto her her fault. 1642 Fuller Holy & Prof. St. 121 If the conscience of a Counsellour or commander in chief remonstrates in himself the unlawfulnesse of this warre, he is bound..to represent to his Prince his reasons against it. 1709 Stanhope Paraphr. IV. 89 At this Bar..he remonstrated the Illegality of the Violence offered to him. 1723 Pres. St. Russia II. 104, I also remonstrated to you the Dissatisfaction your Conduct has given me. 1751 Eliza Heywood Betsy Thoughtless I. 287 Remonstrating to miss Betsy, in the most serious terms, the great error she was guilty of. |
† b. To point out, state, or represent (a grievance, etc.) to some authority. Also const. to. Obs.
| 1647 N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. i. lxvi. (1739) 156 The Parliament sent but six or seven, to remonstrate their complaints. 1690 J. Mackenzie Siege London-Derry Pref. A iij b, Till they had remonstrated their danger to the Government. 1709 Steele Tatler No. 18 ¶2 The Merchants of Lions have been at Court, to remonstrate their great Sufferings by the Failure of their Publick Credit. 1740–1 in Johnson's Debates (1787) I. 189 It is doubtless our duty..to remonstrate to his majesty the distresses of his subjects, and his own danger. |
† 3. a. intr. To raise an objection to a thing; to address a remonstrance to a person. Obs.
| 1666 S. Parker Free & Impart. Censure (1667) 241 You know I have long since remonstrated to these common ceremonies of the World. 1691 Beverley Thous. Years' Kingd. Christ 4 The boldness of the Censure of Dissenters..I humbly Remonstrate to in these Particulars. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones i. xiii, The doctor remonstrated to him privately concerning this behaviour. 1792 J. Budworth Fortn. Ramble 93, I in vain remonstrated to the landlord. |
† b. Const. inf. To make a strong request to a person not to do something. Obs. rare—1.
| 1723 Pres. St. Russia II. 277 The Ambassadors remonstrated to him not to be so troublesome to the said Persons. |
4. To urge strong reasons against a course of action, to protest against; to expostulate with a person, on or upon an action. Also absol.
| 1695 J. Edwards Perfect. Script. Ded., You with the utmost zeal..remonstrated against this practice. 1722 Waterland Suppl. Arian Subscript. Consid. 4 It is the proper Business of a Divine..to remonstrate against any growing Corruptions. 1759 Sterne Tr. Shandy II. xv, Corporal Trim, by being in the service, had learned to obey,—and not to remonstrate. 1838 Thirlwall Greece xxxviii. V. 59 Spartan envoys were sent to Athens, to remonstrate against the proceedings of Timotheus. 1863 Geo. Eliot Romola xlvi, Tito and Romola never jarred, never remonstrated with each other. 1899 Daily News 20 July 6/3 A friend remonstrated with Mr. W...on his giving up all the proceeds..to a charity. |
5. trans. To say, assert, or plead in remonstrance. Also const. to or with a person.
| 1758–65 Goldsm. Ess. v, In spite of what is every day remonstrated from the press—our very nobility..have the assurance to frequent assemblies. 1784 Burns Prayer Prospect Death 8 If I have wander'd.., As something, loudly, in my breast, Remonstrates I have done. 1844 Dickens Christmas Carol ii, ‘I am a mortal’, Scrooge remonstrated, ‘and liable to fall’. 1845 A. Strickland Queens of Engl. VIII. 33 When those in his household remonstrated with him that this name..had become very unpopular to English ears. 1873 Browning Red Cotton Night-Cap Country iii. 810 Remonstrate to yon peasant in the blouse That [etc.]. |
6. To persuade (one) out of a design. rare—1.
| 1817–18 Cobbett Resid. U.S. (1822) 144 My men had remonstrated me..out of my design to transplant six acres of Indian Corn. |
Hence remonstrating vbl. n. and ppl. a.; also remonstratingly adv.
| 1660 J. Sharp in Lauderd. Papers (Camden) I. 57 Most of the remonstrating party pursue the fatal way. 1672 Marvell Reh. Transp. i. 144, I do not like this Remonstrating nor these Remonstrants. 1829 Examiner 161/2 He remonstratingly exclaimed, ‘Too much help!’ 1863 J. C. Morison St. Bernard iii. iv. 348 He wrote a remonstrating letter to Guido. 1882 J. Payn Thicker than Water iii, ‘Now..do be reasonable’, he continued remonstratingly. |