fouling-resistant
|foul-ing-re-sist-ant|
/ˈfaʊlɪŋ rɪˈzɪstənt/
resists surface buildup
Etymology
'fouling-resistant' originates from modern English as a compound of 'fouling' and 'resistant'. 'Foul' originates from Old English 'fūl' meaning 'rotten' or 'unclean', and 'resistant' derives from Latin 'resistere' via Old French, where 'resistere' meant 'to stand back' or 'to withstand'.
'foul' passed from Old English 'fūl' through Middle English forms (e.g. 'ful') to modern English 'foul'. 'Resistere' entered English via Old French and Middle English, producing 'resist' and the adjective-forming '-ant' (yielding 'resistant'). The compound 'fouling-resistant' is a modern technical formation (appearing in 20th-century engineering and marine contexts).
Initially, 'foul' meant 'rotten' or 'unclean', while 'resistant' meant 'able to withstand'. Over time, combining them produced the technical sense 'able to resist fouling (the buildup of organisms, biofilm, or deposits)', a specialized meaning used in materials and marine engineering.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
resistant to fouling; not easily subject to the accumulation of unwanted matter (such as marine organisms, biofilm, dirt, or other deposits) on a surface.
The ship's hull was coated with a fouling-resistant paint to reduce maintenance and improve fuel efficiency.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/29 12:01