Dis‐sent″er (?), n. 1. One who dissents; one who differs in opinion, or declares his disagreement.
2. (Eccl.) 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.” Brande & C.