résistance

Résistance is a term used across disciplines to denote opposition or impedance. In everyday language it can refer to opposition to authority or occupation, and in science to factors that oppose the passage of something—electric current, heat, or biological agents. Its etymology traces to the French word from Latin resistentia.

In electrical engineering, electrical resistance is the property of a material that impedes the flow of electric current. It is measured in ohms (Ω) and governed by Ohm's law: V = I·R. The intrinsic resistance depends on material, geometry, and temperature; the related concept of resistivity describes a material's inherent opposition to current.

In biology and medicine, resistance refers to the reduced effectiveness of a treatment or control method. Antibiotic resistance occurs when microorganisms evolve mechanisms to withstand drugs, complicating infection treatment. Resistance can arise via mutations or gene transfer and is influenced by selective pressures such as antibiotic use. Similar ideas apply to resistance to pesticides or other antimicrobial agents.

Historically, Résistance is associated with organized opposition to occupation, notably the French Resistance during World War II, which coordinated sabotage, intelligence, and aid to Allies. The term also covers civil resistance and nonviolent movements that seek political or social change through protests, strikes, and other noncooperative actions.

The concept of resistance is thus polysemous, with domain-specific definitions that share a core idea of opposition or impedance.