drug-resistant
UK[drʌɡ rɪˈzɪstənt]US[drʌɡ rɪˈzɪstənt]
adj
(of a microorganism, especially a bacterium) not susceptible or responsive to a specific drug or class of drugs.
Morpheme Breakdown
drug
re
sist
ant
drug
re
back
sist
ant
performing (a specified action)
Etymology
The term 'drug-resistant' is a modern compound adjective formed from the noun 'drug' and the adjective 'resistant'. The core of 'resistant' comes from the Latin verb 'resistere', meaning to stand back or to oppose, which is itself composed of the prefix 're-' (against) and the root 'sistere' (to stand). The suffix '-ant' forms an adjective indicating a state or quality. Therefore, the literal morphemic logic is "having the quality of standing against a drug." This construction directly and transparently describes the biological phenomenon where a pathogen or cell line does not succumb to the intended effects of a pharmaceutical agent.
Analysis
Structure: drug + re + sist + ant
drug: (Middle English, from Old French 'drogue', of uncertain origin). The core element referring to a medicinal substance.
re: (Latin prefix). A prefix meaning "back" or "against".
sist: (Latin root from 'sistere', to stand). The core element meaning to stand or to stop.
ant: (Latin suffix via Old French '-ant', present participle/adjective-forming). A suffix meaning "performing (a specified action)" or "having a certain quality".
Examples
The rise of drug-resistant tuberculosis poses a major global health threat.
Doctors had to switch antibiotics due to a drug-resistant infection.
Overuse of antimicrobials in agriculture accelerates the development of drug-resistant bacteria.