wind-resistant
wind-resistant
UK[ˈwɪnd rɪˌzɪstənt]US[ˈwɪnd rɪˌzɪstənt]
adj
Designed or able to withstand strong winds without being damaged or moved.
Morpheme Breakdown
wind
resistant
wind
air in motion
resistant
having the capacity to withstand
Etymology
The compound adjective "wind-resistant" is a modern technical formation built from two core concepts. The first element, "wind," descends from the ancient Proto-Indo-European root h₂wéh₁n̥ts, which conveyed the fundamental idea of blowing air, a concept preserved in Latin ventus and Old English wind. The second element, "resistant," originates from the Latin verb resistere, meaning "to stand against" or "to oppose," a combination of re- (against) and sistere (to cause to stand). When combined, the term's logic is transparently literal: it describes an object possessing the quality of "standing against the wind." This etymological composition directly informs its contemporary definition, specifying a design or material property that offers opposition to the force of moving air, thereby preventing damage or displacement.
Analysis
Structure: wind (air in motion) + resistant (having the capacity to withstand)
- wind: From Old English wind, of Germanic origin; from an Indo-European root shared by Latin ventus. The noun meaning "air in natural motion."
- resistant: From Latin resistent-, present participle stem of resistere (to resist), from re- (against) + sistere (to stand). The adjective-forming suffix -ant indicates "performing the action of the verb."
Examples
The architect specified wind-resistant glass for the skyscraper's exterior.
This jacket is made from a lightweight yet wind-resistant fabric.
Ensure the garden shed is properly anchored to be wind-resistant.