Resist (r-zstt), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Resisted; p. pr. & vb. n. Resisting.]
Etymology: [F. résister, L. resistere, pref. re- re- + sistere to stand, cause to stand, v. causative of stare to stand. See Stand.]
1. To stand against; to withstand; to obstruct. That mortal dint, Save He who reigns above, none can resist. Milton.
2. To strive against; to endeavor to counteract, defeat, or frustrate; to act in opposition to; to oppose. God resisteth the proud. James iv. 6. Contrary to his high will Whom we resist. Milton.
3. To counteract, as a force, by inertia or reaction.
4. To be distasteful to. [Obs.] Shak.
1 more senses
Syn. -- To withstand; oppose; hinder; obstruct; counteract; check; thwart; baffle; disappoint.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Resist, v. i.
To make opposition. Shak.
Resist, n. (Calico Printing)
A substance used to prevent a color or mordant from fixing on those parts to which it has been applied, either by acting machanically in preventing the color, etc., from reaching the cloth, or chemically in changing the color so as to render it incapable of fixing itself in the fibers.. The pastes prepared for this purpose are called resist pastes. F. C. Calvert.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for resist; he lists it under drive, hinder.
Where he writes about it:
To obstruct is to hinder, or possibly to prevent advance or passage by putting something in the way; to oppose or resist is to hinder, or possibly to prevent by directly contrary or hostile action, resist being the stronger term and having more suggestion of physical force; obstructed roads hinder the march of an enemy, tho there may be no force strong enough to oppose it; one opposes a measure, a motion, an amendment, or the like; it is a criminal offense to resist an officer in the discharge of his duty; the physical system may resist the attack of disease or the action of a remedy. — from hinder