'resistive' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'resistere', where 're-' meant 'back/again' and 'sistere' meant 'to stand'; the English adjective was formed by adding the suffix '-ive' (from Latin '-ivus').

'resistive' developed from Latin 'resistere' → Late Latin/Old French forms (e.g. 'resister') → Middle English 'resisten'/'resist' (verb); the adjective form was created in English by adding the suffix '-ive', producing 'resistive'.

Initially, related forms meant 'to stand back' or 'to oppose'; over time the formation evolved into an adjective meaning 'having or showing resistance' and, in technical contexts, 'having electrical resistance'.