— resister , n. — resistingly , adv.
/ri zist"/ , v.t.
1. to withstand, strive against, or oppose: to resist infection; to resist temptation.
2. to withstand the action or effect of: to resist spoilage.
3. to refrain or abstain from, esp. with difficulty or reluctance: They couldn't resist the chocolates.
v.i.
4. to make a stand or make efforts in opposition; act in opposition; offer resistance.
n.
5. a substance that prevents or inhibits some effect from taking place, as a coating on a surface of a metallic printing plate that prevents or inhibits corrosion of the metal by acid.
6. Textiles. a chemically inert substance used in resist printing.
[ 1325-75; ME resisten (v.) resistere to remain standing, equiv. to re- RE- + sistere to cause to stand, akin to stare to STAND ]
Syn. 1. confront, counteract, rebuff. See oppose .