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resistance

Pronunciation: /rɪˈzɪst(ə)ns/
Translate resistance | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of resistance

noun

  • 1 [mass noun] the refusal to accept or comply with something:they displayed a narrow-minded resistance to change
  • the use of force or violence to oppose someone or something:government forces were unable to crush guerrilla-style resistance she put up no resistance to being led away
  • (also resistance movement) a secret organization resisting authority, especially in an occupied country: he went underground and joined the resistance
  • (the Resistance) the underground movement formed in France during the Second World War to fight the German occupying forces and the Vichy government. Also called maquis.
  • 2the ability not to be affected by something, especially adversely:some of us have a lower resistance to cold than others
  • [mass noun] Medicine & Biology lack of sensitivity to a drug, insecticide, etc., especially as a result of continued exposure or genetic change: many insects show resistance to at least one chemical
  • 3the impeding or stopping effect exerted by one material thing on another:air resistance was reduced by streamlining
  • 4the degree to which a substance or device opposes the passage of an electric current, causing energy dissipation. By Ohm’s law resistance (measured in ohms) is equal to the voltage divided by the current.
  • [count noun] a resistor or other circuit component which opposes the passage of an electric current.

Phrases

the line (or path) of least resistance

the easiest course of action: he was easily deflected from his purpose and always chose the line of least resistance

Origin:

late Middle English: from French résistance, from late Latin resistentia, from the verb resistere 'hold back' (see resist)

Spelling help

The ending of resistance is spelled -ance.

resistance in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of resistance in the US English dictionary
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