rɪˈzɪst v. & n. --v. 1 tr.
withstand the action or
effect of;
repel. 2 tr.
stop the
course or
progress of;
prevent from reaching, penetrating, etc. 3 tr.
abstain from (pleasure,
temptation, etc.). 4 tr.
strive against;
try to
impede; refuse to
comply with (resist arrest). 5 intr.
offer opposition; refuse to comply. --n. a
protective coating of a resistant
substance,
applied esp. to parts of
calico that are
not to
take dye or to parts of
pottery that are not to take
glaze or lustre. øcannot (or
could not etc.) resist 1 (foll. by
verbal noun)
feel obliged or strongly inclined to (cannot resist teasing me
about it). 2 is
certain to be amused, attracted,
etc., by (can't resist children's clothes). øøresistant adj. resister n. resistible adj. resistibility n. [ME f. OF resister or L resistere (as
RE-, sistere stop, redupl. of
stare stand)]