impact-resistant
|im-pact-re-sist-ant|
/ˈɪmpækt rɪˈzɪstənt/
resists impact
Etymology
'impact-resistant' originates from modern English as a compound of 'impact' and 'resistant'. 'impact' ultimately comes from Latin 'impactus' (past participle of 'impingere'), where 'impingere' meant 'to strike'; 'resistant' comes via French 'résistant' from Latin 'resistere', where 're-' meant 'back' and 'sistere' (from 'stare') meant 'to stand'.
'impact' entered English from Latin via French (Latin 'impactus' ← 'impingere'), and 'resistant' developed from Latin 'resistere' through Old/Middle French ('résister') into English; the compound 'impact-resistant' arose in modern English to describe materials designed to withstand strikes or shocks.
Initially the components meant 'strike' (impact) and 'to stand back/withstand' (resistere); combined in modern usage they mean 'able to withstand strikes or sudden forces', a meaning that follows directly from the parts but is specialized for materials and products.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
noun form (a transformation of the base form): the property or degree to which something resists damage from impacts.
The material's impact resistance was measured under laboratory conditions.
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Adjective 1
able to resist damage from impacts or sudden force; designed to withstand shocks.
The helmet is impact-resistant and protects against falls and collisions.
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Last updated: 2025/11/09 03:24