Jump to content

resistance

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also: résistance

English

[edit]

Alternative forms

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

From earlier resistence, from Middle English resistence, from Old French resistence, from Latin resistentia. Morphologically resist +‎ -ance.

Pronunciation

[edit]
  • IPA(key): /ɹɪˈzɪstəns/
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɪstəns

Noun

[edit]

resistance (countable and uncountable, plural resistances)

  1. The act of resisting, or the capacity to resist.
    Synonym: opposition
    widespread resistance to the new urban development plans
    the resistance of bacteria to certain antibiotics
    • 1695, John Kettlewell, Chriſtianity, a Doctrine of the Cross: or, Paſſive Obedience under any Pretended Invaſion of Legal Rights and Liberties‎[1], page 89:
      […] this Autority of his Perſon, doth notwithſtanding lay on us an Obligation, of keeping under his Obedience, and making no warlike Reſiſtance.
    • 1945 April 16, Harry S. Truman, 10:06 from the start, in MP72-20 President Roosevelt’s Funeral and Procession; Truman – New President of U.S.‎[2], Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives Identifier: 595162:
      So that there can be no possible misunderstanding, both Germany and Japan can be certain beyond any shadow of a doubt that America will continue to fight for freedom until no vestige of resistance remains. Our demand has been and it remains unconditional surrender.
    • 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 19, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
      When Timothy and Julia hurried up the staircase to the bedroom floor, where a considerable commotion was taking place, Tim took Barry Leach with him. […]. The captive made no resistance and came not only quietly but in a series of eager little rushes like a timid dog on a choke chain.
    • 2021 November 3, Gretchen Reynolds, “Cardio Before Weight Lifting May Help Boost Muscle”, in The New York Times‎[3], archived from the original on 20 March 2022:
      For decades, trainers and scientists have debated whether and how to mix cardio and resistance exercise. Some small studies suggest combining the two might up the likely gains from each, especially the resistance training.
  2. (physics) A force that tends to oppose motion.
  3. (physics) Electrical resistance.
  4. (electronics, dated) A resistor.
    • 1928, American Telephone and Telegraph Company, American Telephone and Telegraph Company. Long Lines Dept, Principles of Electricity Applied to Telephone and Telegraph Work (page 52)
      In our study of simple electrical circuits, we have considered a single source of E.M.F. for each individual circuit but we have learned that any number of resistances may be connected in parallel […]
  5. An underground organisation engaged in a struggle for liberation from forceful occupation; a resistance movement.
    • 2012, BioWare, Mass Effect 3: From Ashes (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, PC, scene: Priority Mission: Eden Prime:
      Alliance forces are stretched too thin right now to attempt to liberate the colony, but we've been doing what we can to covertly aid the local resistance.

Hypernyms

[edit]

Derived terms

[edit]

Translations

[edit]
The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked

References

[edit]

Anagrams

[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=resistance&oldid=89780732"