† reˈsistence Obs.
Also 5–6 -ens, resyst-, recistence, -ens.
[a. OF. resistence, = Sp. and Pg. resistencia, It. re-, risistenza, ad. late L. resistentia (Augustine), f. resistĕre to resist: see -ence.]
= resistance. (In common use to c 1530.)
| c 1374 Chaucer Troylus iii. 990 Loue, a-yeyns þe which þat no man may Ne oughte ek goudly make resistence. c 1386 ― Can. Yeom. Prol. & T. 356 Thise metales ben of so gret violence, Our walles may not make hem resistence. 1450 Rolls of Parlt. V. 200/2 For suche distres takyng, and yn resistens therof, ther is grete assembles. 1494 Fabyan Chron. vi. clxxi. 165 After many resistences by hym doon, to auoyde y⊇ temptacion therof. 1512 Act. 4 Hen. VIII, c. 20 Preamble, Theire adherentes made extreme resistens ayenst your said Beseecher. a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VIII 176 The Spaniardes so defended them with ordinaunce & resistences that they slew .v. or vi. M. Frenchmen. 1596 Spenser F.Q. vi. xi. 43 Where the bold knight Encountring him with small resistence slew. 1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Resistence of the Medium, is the opposition against, or hindrance of the Motion of any Body moving in a Fluid. 1727–38 Chambers Cycl. s.v., A greater weight is required to overcome their united resistence, than to overcome their several resistences one after another. |