Withstand
/wɪðˈstænd/noun
To resist or hold out against pressure, force, or attack.
Did you know?The word is an old Germanic compound, and its original force is physical: to stand opposite or against an enemy, not just to “tolerate” something.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*with-standaną
“to stand against, oppose”
Old English
OE
wiðstandan
“to stand against, resist, oppose”
Middle English
ME
withstanden
“to resist, oppose, hold out against”
Modern English
English
withstand
“to resist successfully or endure against force or difficulty”
Explore more surprising origins