grand remonstrance: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 - Very LowFormal, Historical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “grand remonstrance” mean?
A formal and extensive written protest or complaint, typically of a serious and fundamental nature.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A formal and extensive written protest or complaint, typically of a serious and fundamental nature.
Primarily a historical term referring to a specific document presented by the English Parliament to King Charles I in 1641, listing grievances against the Crown. By extension, it can refer to any lengthy, detailed, and solemn statement of protest or remonstrance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is inherently British, originating from English history. American usage is almost exclusively confined to academic or historical discourse about English/British history.
Connotations
In the UK, it carries strong historical and constitutional weight. In the US, it may be used more metaphorically to denote a major, foundational complaint, but this is very rare.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary speech in both varieties, but marginally more likely to appear in British historical or political commentary.
Grammar
How to Use “grand remonstrance” in a Sentence
[The/Our] grand remonstrance against [authority/figure/policy]to present/issue/draft a grand remonstrancethe grand remonstrance of [year/group]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grand remonstrance” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The MPs sought to grandly remonstrate with the monarch, but their efforts fell short of a true Grand Remonstrance.
American English
- N/A. 'Remonstrate' exists, but 'to grand remonstrate' is not a standard verb form.
adverb
British English
- N/A.
American English
- N/A.
adjective
British English
- The document had a grand-remonstrance quality to it, listing every conceivable grievance.
American English
- N/A. Not used adjectivally.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in history, politics, and law to refer specifically to the 1641 document or metaphorically for similar foundational protests.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would likely be used humorously or hyperbolically for a long list of complaints.
Technical
Specific historical term with precise meaning in British constitutional history.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “grand remonstrance”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “grand remonstrance”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grand remonstrance”
- Treating it as a plural noun (e.g., 'the grand remonstrances') – it is a singular compound noun.
- Using it for trivial complaints, which is stylistically jarring.
- Capitalising it incorrectly. Lowercase for generic use, but often capitalised when referring to the 1641 document: 'the Grand Remonstrance'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very rare, formal, and primarily historical term. You will almost never encounter it in everyday conversation or modern news.
Only in extreme hyperbole or humour. Using it for a workplace email would be stylistically inappropriate and likely confusing.
A remonstrance is any formal protest. 'The Grand Remonstrance' (capitalised) refers specifically to the 1641 English parliamentary document. Used generically (lowercase), a 'grand remonstrance' implies a protest of exceptional length, gravity, and historical significance.
In British English: /rɪˈmɒn.strəns/ (ri-MON-strəns). In American English: /rɪˈmɑːn.strəns/ (ri-MAHN-strəns). The stress is on the second syllable.
A formal and extensive written protest or complaint, typically of a serious and fundamental nature.
Grand remonstrance is usually formal, historical, academic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[To be/act as] a grand remonstrance against [something]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GRAND (large, important) REMONSTRANCE (a formal protest) – a huge, historic list of complaints.
Conceptual Metaphor
A foundational document of complaint is a grand remonstrance.
Practice
Quiz
The term 'Grand Remonstrance' is most closely associated with which historical context?