Definition of: resist

(ri·zist′) v.t.
1. To strive against; act counter to for the purpose of stopping, preventing, defeating, etc.
2. To be proof against; withstand; defeat.
3. To refrain from: I can't resist teasing him.
—v.i.
4. To offer opposition. See synonyms under DRIVE, HINDER, OPPOSE, REPEL.
—noun Any substance used to prevent the action of another substance, as a coating applied to a surface to protect it from an acid. [<OF resister <L resistere cause to stand back <re- back + sistere, causative of stare stand]
—re·sist′er noun