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re·sist (rĭ-zĭst)
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v. re·sist·ed, re·sist·ing, re·sists
v.tr.
1.
a. To take action in opposition to; try to eliminate, reduce, or stop: resisted the effort to close the school. See Synonyms at oppose.
b. To take action to defeat or thwart (an invading or occupying military force).
2.
a. To remain unaltered, undamaged, or unaffected by; withstand: a crank that resists torque; a material that resists solar degradation.
b. To provide resistance to (an electrical current).
3. To keep from giving in to, engaging in, or enjoying: resisted pressure to conform; resisted investing in real estate.
v.intr.
To offer resistance.
n.
A substance that can cover and protect a surface, as from corrosion.
[Middle English resisten, from Old French resister, from Latin resistere : re-, re- + sistere, to place; see stā- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]
re·sister n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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