protestant

1. A member of any of several Christian denominations which separated from the Roman Catholic Church based on theological or political differences during the Reformation (or sometimes later).
2. (history) A member of the Church of England or Church of Ireland, as distinct from Protestant nonconformists or dissenters

adjective

Of or pertaining to several denominations of Christianity that separated from the Roman Catholic Church based on theological or political differences during the Reformation.

1. One who protests; a protester.

   1915 November 3, decision in the case of the State of New Mexico v. Garrett, published in 1916 among the Decisions of the Department of the Interior in Cases Relating to Public Lands, volume 44 (edited by George J Hesselman), page 490: In the case of Hyacinthe Villeneuve a homestead entry had been allowed upon a tract of land that had been patented to the Santa Fe Railroad Company, whose grantees had expressed a willingness to reconvey in order that effect might be given to the equities of the homesteader, whereas in the present case the State stands in the position of a protestant.

adjective

Protesting