resistance
Meaning
the act of using force to oppose someone or something
the ability not to be affected by something, especially something harmful
a secret organization that fights against enemy forces that have taken control of its country
Structure
Usage
The defenders put up a fierce resistance against the invading army.
Over time, the insects developed a resistance to the chemical pesticide.
During the war, she worked for the French Resistance, gathering intelligence.
Etymology
The word "resistance" has a clear lineage from Latin, built on the verb resistere, meaning "to stand back" or "to make a stand against." This verb itself is composed of the prefix re- ("back") and sistere ("to stand"). The core concept of taking a firm stand in opposition is preserved from its ancient roots. The suffix -ance was added through Old French, transforming the action into an abstract noun denoting the state or capacity of opposing. Thus, the literal "standing back" evolved into the modern meanings of opposition, whether physical, political, or biological.
Analysis
- re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back". - sist: Latin origin, from the verb sistere, meaning "to stand". - ance: Latin/French origin, a noun-forming suffix indicating an action, state, or quality.