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.
Phrases and idioms:
cannot (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).
Derivatives:
resistant adj. resister n. resistible adj. resistibility n.
Etymology: ME f. OF resister or L resistere (as RE-, sistere stop, redupl. of stare stand)