In pleading. The indirect affirmation or denial of the truth of some matter which cannot with propriety or safety be positively affirmed, denied, or entirely passed over. See 3 Bl. Comm. 311. The exclusion of a conclusion. Co. Litt 124. In practice. An asseveration made by taking God to witness. A protestation is a form of asseveration which approaches very nearly to an oath. Wolff. Inst Nat