protestation
noun /ˌprɒtəˈsteɪʃn/
/ˌprɑːtəˈsteɪʃn/, /ˌprəʊtəˈsteɪʃn/
[countable, uncountable] (formal)- a strong statement that something is true, especially when other people do not believe you
- She repeated her protestation of innocence.
- Despite his protestation to the contrary, he was extremely tired.
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French, from late Latin protestatio(n-), from protestari ‘to protest’, from pro- ‘forth, publicly’ + testari ‘assert’ (from testis ‘witness’).