affirm vs protest

affirm

verb
  • To make firm; to confirm, or ratify; especially (law) to assert or confirm, as a judgment, decree, or order, brought before an appellate court for review. 

  • To agree, verify or concur; to answer positively. 

  • To state under a solemn promise to tell the truth which is considered legally equivalent to an oath, especially of those who have religious or other moral objections to swearing oaths; also solemnly affirm. 

  • To assert positively; to tell with confidence; to aver; to maintain as true. 

  • To support or encourage. 

protest

verb
  • To call as a witness in affirming or denying, or to prove an affirmation; to appeal to. 

  • to make a solemn written declaration, in due form, on behalf of the holder, against all parties liable for any loss or damage to be sustained by non-acceptance or non-payment of (a bill or note). This should be made by a notary public, whose seal it is the usual practice to affix. 

  • To affirm (something). 

  • To object to. 

  • To make a strong objection. 

noun
  • The noting by a notary public of an unpaid or unaccepted bill. 

  • A written declaration, usually by the master of a ship, stating the circumstances attending loss or damage of ship or cargo, etc. 

  • A formal objection, especially one by a group. 

  • A collective gesture of disapproval; a demonstration. 

How often have the words affirm and protest occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )