| 1. | to differ in sentiment or opinion, esp. from the majority; withhold assent; disagree (often fol. by from): Two of the justices dissented from the majority decision. |
| 2. | to disagree with the methods, goals, etc., of a political party or government; take an opposing view. |
| 3. | to disagree with or reject the doctrines or authority of an established church. |
| 4. | difference of sentiment or opinion. |
| 5. | dissenting opinion. |
| 6. | disagreement with the philosophy, methods, goals, etc., of a political party or government. |
| 7. | separation from an established church, esp. the Church of England; nonconformity. |

"Has there ever been a society which has died of dissent? Several have died of conformity in our lifetime." [Jacob Bronowski]