to withstand, strive against, or oppose: to resist infection; to resist temptation.
2.
to withstand the action or effect of: to resist spoilage.
3.
to refrain or abstain from, esp. with difficulty or reluctance: They couldn't resist the chocolates.
–verb (used without object)
4.
to make a stand or make efforts in opposition; act in opposition; offer resistance.
–noun
5.
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.
6.
Textiles. a chemically inert substance used in resist printing.
Origin: 1325–75; ME resisten (v.) < L resistere to remain standing, equiv. to re-re-+ sistere to cause to stand, akin to stāre to stand
Related forms:
re⋅sist⋅er, noun
re⋅sist⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
Synonyms: 1.confront, counteract, rebuff. See oppose.
re·sist (rĭ-zĭst') v.
re·sist·ed, re·sist·ing, re·sists
v.
tr.
To strive to fend off or offset the actions, effects, or force of.
To remain firm against the actions, effects, or force of; withstand: a bacterium that resisted the antibiotic.
To keep from giving in to or enjoying.
v.
intr. To offer resistance. See Synonyms at oppose. 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 Indo-European roots.] re·sist'er n.
[ri-zist] 
