The expression of opinions that differ from those officially or commonly held; to disagree with established authority or majority opinion.
From Latin dissentire meaning 'to feel differently,' composed of dis- (apart) and sentire (to feel). The word entered English in the 15th century, initially used in religious contexts before expanding to political and social disagreement.
The most famous dissent in U.S. history might be Justice Harlan's 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson dissent declaring 'our Constitution is color-blind' - a minority opinion that eventually became the foundation for Brown v. Board of Education.
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