resist

[ ri-zist ]
/ rɪˈzɪst /

verb (used with object)

to withstand, strive against, or oppose: to resist infection; to resist temptation.
to withstand the action or effect of: to resist spoilage.
to refrain or abstain from, especially with difficulty or reluctance: They couldn't resist the chocolates.

verb (used without object)

to make a stand or make efforts in opposition; act in opposition; offer resistance.

noun

a substance that prevents or inhibits some effect from taking place, as a coating on a surface of a metallic printing plate that prevents or inhibits corrosion of the metal by acid.
Textiles. a chemically inert substance used in resist printing.

Origin of resist

1325–75; Middle English resisten (v.) < Latin resistere to remain standing, equivalent to re- re- + sistere to cause to stand, akin to stāre to stand

OTHER WORDS FROM resist

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH resist

resister resistor

Example sentences from the Web for resisting

British Dictionary definitions for resisting

resist
/ (rɪˈzɪst) /

verb

to stand firm (against); not yield (to); fight (against)
(tr) to withstand the deleterious action of; be proof against to resist corrosion
(tr) to oppose; refuse to accept or comply with to resist arrest; to resist the introduction of new technology
(tr) to refrain from, esp in spite of temptation (esp in the phrases cannot or could not resist (something))

noun

a substance used to protect something, esp a coating that prevents corrosion

Derived forms of resist

resister, noun resistible, adjective resistibility, noun resistibly, adverb

Word Origin for resist

C14: from Latin resistere to stand still, oppose, from re- + sistere to stand firm