Resistant is a common English word that refers to a person or thing's ability to withstand the effects of something. The word is spelled using the IPA phonetic transcription as /rɪˈzɪstənt/. The initial "r" is pronounced with a slight trill, followed by a short "i" sound, then a stressed "zis" sound. The ending is pronounced with a short "t" sound, followed by a soft "Ənt." This word's spelling might seem tricky to non-native English speakers because of its many vowels, but understanding IPA phonetics can help clarify its pronunciation.
Resistant is an adjective that describes the ability of an object, substance, or organism to withstand the effects of a particular force, condition, or treatment. It signifies the quality of being able to endure, oppose, or remain unharmed by certain factors that may typically cause damage or change.
When used in reference to physical objects, resistant implies that the item has been designed or constructed to withstand wear, pressure, or other external forces without breaking or being damaged easily. For example, a "water-resistant" watch can resist water seeping into its mechanism, while "heat-resistant" materials can endure high temperatures without melting or sagging.
In a medical context, resistant characterizes an organism's ability to withstand the destructive effects of a particular drug, treatment, or disease. It often indicates that the organism is not easily affected by these interventions or that it has developed a degree of immunity or tolerance to them.
Additionally, resistant can describe individuals or groups who exhibit a strong will or determination to withstand opposition, pressure, or influence. It conveys the idea of being unwilling to yield or give in to external forces or persuasion.
Overall, the term resistant refers to the ability to repel or withstand damaging or altering forces, whether it pertains to physical objects, substances, organisms, or human behavior.
• One who, or that which, resists.
• Making resistance.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "resistant" can be traced back to the Latin term "resistēns", which is the present participle form of the verb "resistere", meaning "to resist". The word originated from the combination of the Latin prefix "re-" (indicating opposition or negation) and the verb "sistere" (meaning "to stand"). Consequently, "resistant" essentially denotes the ability to withstand or repel an opposing force or influence.