Etymology dictionary
resonate (v.) — retail (n.)
resonate (v.)
"resound, produce or exhibit resonance," 1856, in anatomy; in early use especially of auscultation, from Latin resonatus, past participle of resonare "to sound again" (see resonance). Literal at first; the figurative sense, in reference to feelings, emotions, etc., is by 1978. Related: Resonated; resonating.
resonator (n.)
1869, instrument or chamber formed to respond to a single tone, agent noun in Latin form from resonate (v.). By 1897 in the general sense of "object which resonates." A resonator guitar (by 1943; the thing itself developed from 1920s) produces sound by means of spun metal cones (resonators).
resonant (adj.)
1590s, of sound, "re-echoing," from Latin resonantem (nominative resonans), present participle of resonare "to sound again" (see resound). Of bodies or structures, "causing prolongation or reinforcement of sounds," 1680s. Related: Resonantly.
resorb (v.)
"absorb again, take back that which has been given out," 1630s, from French résorber or directly from Latin resorbere "to suck back," from re- "back, again" (see re-) + sorbere "to suck" (see absorb). Related: Resorbed; resorbing; resorbent.
resorption (n.)
"fact or process of reabsorption, retrogressive absorption," 1670s, noun of action from resorb.
resort (n.)
late 14c., "that to which one has recourse for aid or assistance, source of comfort and solace," from Old French resort "resource, a help, an aid, a remedy," back-formation from resortir "to resort," literally "to go out again," from re- "again" (see re-) + sortir "go out" (see sortie).
The meaning "place people go for recreation" is recorded by 1754. Phrase in the last resort "ultimately" (1670s) translates French en dernier ressort, originally a last court of legal appeals.
resort (v.)
c. 1400, resorten, "advance, proceed; come or go; return (to a subject or topic); go to (someone) for aid, turn to for protection, mercy, etc.," from Old French resortir "recourse, appeal" (Modern French ressortir), from resort "resource, a help, an aid" (see resort (n.)). Related: Resorted; resorting.
re-sort (v.)
"sort anew, sort afresh," 1889, from re- "again" + sort (v.). Spelled with a hyphen to distinguish it from resort (v.). Related: Re-sorted; re-sorting.
resounding (adj.)
late 14c., resouning, "sonorous," present-participle adjective from resound (v.). Figurative use from 1630s (Milton's resounding grace). Related: Resoundingly.
resound (v.)
late 14c., resownen, resounen, of a place, "re-echo, sound back, return an echo; reverberate with," from Anglo-French resuner, Old French resoner "reverberate" (12c., Modern French résonner), from Latin resonare "sound again, resound, echo" (source also of Spanish resonar, Italian risonare), from re- "back, again" (see re-) + sonare "to sound, make a noise" (from PIE root *swen- "to sound").
With unetymological -d- from mid-15c. (compare sound (n.1)). From 1520s of things. Related: Resounded; resounding.
re-sound (v.)
"sound anew, sound (a letter, music note) again," 1897, from re- "again" + sound (v.1). Spelled with a hyphen to distinguish it from resound (v.). Related: Re-sounded; re-sounding.
resourceful (adj.)
1807, "shifty, fertile in expedient," from resource (n.) + -ful. By 1847 as "rich or abounding in resources." Related: Resourcefully; resourcefulness. Resourceless is from 1787.
resource (v.)
"supply with resources," 1975, from resource (n.). Related: Resourced; resourcing.
resource (n.)
1610s, "any means of supplying a want or deficiency," from French resourse "a source, a spring," noun use of fem. past participle of Old French resourdre "to rally, raise again," from Latin resurgere "rise again" (see resurgent).
The meaning "possibility of aid or assistance" (often with a negative) is by 1690s; the meaning "expedient, device, shift" also is from 1690s. Resources as "a country's wealth, means of raising money and supplies" is recorded by 1779. A library resource center was so called by 1968.
respectable (adj.)
1580s, "worthy of notice or observation" (a sense now obsolete); 1590s, "worthy of esteem by reason of inherent qualities;" see respect (v.) + -able.
Of persons, "having an honest reputation" from 1755; the sense of "moderately well-to-do and deserving respect for morality; occupying a fairly good position in society" is by 1800. From 1755 as "considerable in size or number;" from 1775 as "not too big, tolerable, fair, mediocre." Related: Respectably.
respect (v.)
1540s, "to regard, notice with especial attention," from French respecter "look back; respect; delay" (16c.), from Latin respectere, frequentative of respicere "look back at, regard, consider," from re- "back" (see re-) + specere "look at" (from PIE root *spek- "to observe").
The meaning "treat with deferential esteem, regard with some degree of reverence" is from 1550s. The sense of "refrain from injuring or interfering with" is from 1620s. The meaning "have reference to, relate to" is from 1560s. Related: Respected; respecting.
To respect the person was "show undue bias toward (or against) based on regard for the outward circumstances of a person;" hence respecter of persons, usually with negative, from Acts x:34, in the 1611 translation.
respect (n.)
late 14c., "relationship, relation; regard, consideration" (as in in respect to), from Old French respect and directly from Latin respectus "regard, a looking at," literally "act of looking back (or often) at one," noun use of past participle of respicere "look back at, regard, consider," from re- "back" (see re-) + specere "look at" (from PIE root *spek- "to observe").
From late 15c. as "an aspect of a thing, a relative property or quality," hence "point, detail, particular feature" (1580s). The meanings "feeling of esteem excited by actions or attributes of someone or something; courteous or considerate treatment due to personal worth or power" are by 1580s.
With all due respect as a polite phrase introducing deferential disagreement is attested by 1670s.
respective (adj.)
mid-15c., "relative, having relation or reference to something" (a sense now obsolete), from Medieval Latin respectivus "having regard for," from Latin respect- past-participle stem of respicere "look back at, regard, consider" (see respect (v.)). The meaning "relating or pertaining severally each to each, connected with each of those in question" is from 1640s.
respectful (adj.)
1580s, "characterized by respect" (implied in respectfully), from respect (n.) + -ful. The meaning "full of outward civility" is attested by 1680s. Respectfully in conventional subscriptions of letters is attested by 1812. Related: Respectfulness.
respects (n.)
"expressions or signs of esteem, deference, or compliment," 1610s; see respect (n.). Earlier (late 14c.) as "aspects, particular respects." For "expression of regard," Middle English had respeccioun (respection), from Latin. To pay (one's) respects "show polite attention by visiting or making a call" is by 1660s.
respectively (adv.)
mid-15c., respectiveli, "relatively" (a sense now obsolete); 1580s, "respectfully" (a sense now archaic); 1620s, "relatively to each of several singly," from respective (adj.) + -ly (2).
respectability (n.)
1777, "state or character of being respectable; qualities which deserve or command respect," from respectable + -ity. By 1808 as "those who are respectable."
respell (v.)
also re-spell, "to spell again," specifically "spell in another form or system," 1806, from re- "again" + spell (v.1). Related: Respelled; respelling.
respiration (n.)
late 14c., respiracioun, "act or process of breathing, inhalation and exhalation of air by the lungs," from Latin respirationem (nominative respiratio) "breathing, respiration," noun of action from past-participle stem of respirare "breathe again, breathe in and out," from re- "again" (see re-) + spirare "to breathe" (see spirit (n.)). Extended to plants by 1831. Milton used it for "act of returning to life" ("breathing again").
respire (v.)
late 14c., respiren, "breathe, draw breath," from Old French respirer (12c.) and directly from Latin respirare "breathe again, breathe in and out," from re- "again" (see re-) + spirare "to breathe" (see spirit (n.)). Formerly also "to rest or enjoy relief after toil or exertion" (1590s). Related: Respired; respiring.
respirator (n.)
1836, "an aid to breathing," originally a sort of metallic gauze mask fitted to the face by a wire frame and meant to keep out smoke, dust, and especially cold air; agent noun from respire. The word was later used of gas masks in World War I. As "machine to provide artificial respiration" from 1929.
respiratory (adj.)
"of, pertaining to, or serving for respiration," 1660s, from Modern Latin respiratorius or French respiratoire; see respiration + -ory.
respite (n.)
mid-13c., "extension of time for an action, deliberation, etc., grace period; postponement of an action, judgment, etc.," from Old French respit "delay, respect" (Modern French répit), from Latin respectus "consideration, recourse, regard," literally "act of looking back (or often) at one," noun use of past participle of respicere "look back at, regard, consider," from re- "back" (see re-) + specere "look at" (from PIE root *spek- "to observe").
A doublet of respect (n.). From early 14c. as "a reprieve, temporary cessation of hostilities, suffering, etc."
respite (v.)
early 14c., respiten, "reprieve from death;" late 14c., "refrain from action, desist; grant (someone) an extension of time," from Old French respitier, respiter, from Latin respicere "look back at, regard, consider" (see respite (n.)), or else from Latin respectare "consider, respect," in Medieval Latin "delay, postpone" [Century Dictionary]. Related: Respited; respiting.
resplendence (n.)
"vivid brightness, brilliance, splendor," early 15c., from Late Latin resplendentia, abstract noun from present-participle stem of Latin resplendens "brilliant, radiant" (see resplendent). Related: Respendency.
resplendent (adj.)
mid-15c., of color, "shining brilliantly, splendid, very bright," from Old French resplendant and directly from Latin resplendentem (nominative resplendens) "brilliant, radiant," present participle of resplendere "to glitter, shine brightly," from re-, here perhaps an intensive prefix, + splendere "to shine, be splendid" (see splendid). In 16c.-17c. often resplendant. Related: Resplendently.
responder (n.)
"one who or that which responds or replies," by 1834 of persons; 1867 of devices (telegraphy); agent noun from respond (v.). Meaning "device which automatically retransmits a pulse or signal" is by 1945.
respondent (n.)
"one who answers" in a lawsuit, disputation, survey, etc., 1520s, from Latin respondentem (nominative respondens), present participle of respondere "respond, answer to, promise in return," from re- "back" (see re-) + spondere "to pledge" (see sponsor (n.)). Related: Respondence "correspondence, act of responding."
respond (v.)
"make answer, give a reply in words," c. 1300, respounden, from Anglo-French respundre, Old French respondere "respond, correspond" and directly from Latin respondere "respond, answer to, promise in return," from re- "back" (see re-) + spondere "to pledge" (see sponsor (n.)). Modern spelling and pronunciation is from c. 1600. From 17c. also "make a liturgical response." Related: Responded; responding.
response (n.)
c. 1300, respounse, "an answer, a reply," from Old French respons (Modern French réponse) and directly from Latin responsum "an answer," noun use of neuter past participle of respondere "respond, answer to, promise in return," from re- "back" (see re-) + spondere "to pledge" (see sponsor (n.)).
The transferred sense, of feelings or actions, is from 1815 in poetry and psychology. The meaning "a part of the liturgy said or sung by the congregation in reply to the priest" is by 1650s. Response time attested from 1958.
responsible (adj.)
"accountable for one's actions, answerable" to another, for an act performed or its consequences, 1640s, from obsolete French responsible (13c., Modern French responsable, as if from Latin *responsabilis), from Latin respons-, past-participle stem of respondere "respond, answer to, promise in return," from re- "back" (see re-) + spondere "to pledge" (see sponsor (n.)).
The meaning "reliable, trustworthy" is from 1690s. It retains the sense of "obligation" in the Latin verb. Related: Responsibly.
responsive (adj.)
early 15c., "making answer, responding," from Old French responsif and directly from Late Latin responsivus "answering," from Latin respons-, past-participle stem of respondere (see respond). Meaning "responding readily to influence or action, able or inclined to respond" is from 1762. Related: Responsively; responsiveness.
responsibility (n.)
"fact or condition of being responsible, accountable, or answerable," 1787, from responsible + -ity. Meaning "that for which one is responsible; a trust, duty, etc.," is from 1796. In 19c. often with of; in 20c. often with for. Related: Responsibilities.
ressentiment (n.)
1943 in the psychological sense, "state arising from suppressed feelings of envy and hatred that cannot be acted upon," a word from Nietzsche, from German ressentiment, from French ressentiment (see resentment). The French word also was borrowed as obsolete English resentiment (16c.) "feeling or sense (of something); state of being deeply affected by (something)."
rest (n.2)
"remainder, that which is left after a separation," early 15c., from French reste "remnant," from rester "to remain" (see rest (v.2)). Meaning "others, those not included in a proposition" is from 1530s.
rest (v.1)
[to repose; to cease from action] Middle English resten, from Old English ræstan, restan "take repose by lying down; lie in death or in the grave; cease from motion, work, or performance; be still or motionless; be undisturbed, be free from what disquiets; stand or lie as upon a support or basis," from Proto-Germanic *rastejanan (source also of Old Saxon restian, Old Frisian resta, Middle Dutch rasten, Dutch rusten, Old High German reston, German rasten, Swedish rasta, Danish raste "to rest"), a word of doubtful etymology (compare rest (n.1)).
Transitive senses "give repose to; lay or place, as on a support or basis" are from early 13c. Meaning "cease from, have intermission" is late 14c., also "rely on for support." In law, "voluntarily end the presentation of evidence to allow presentation of counter-evidence by the opposing party," by 1905. Related: Rested; resting.
To rest up "recover one's strength" is by 1895, American English. To rest in "remain confident or hopeful in" is by late 14c., biblical. Resting place "place safe from toil or danger" is from mid-14c.
restful (adj.)
mid-14c., "characterized by or conducive to rest, characteristic of a contemplative life;" late 14c., "quiet, peaceful, tranquil;" from rest (n.1) + -ful. Related: Restfully; restfulness.
rested (adj.)
"refreshed by sleep," c. 1400, past-participle adjective from rest (v.).
rest (n.1)
[sleep, repose, slumber] Old English ræste, reste "rest; a bed or couch; intermission of labor; mental peace, state of quiet or repose," from Proto-Germanic *rasto- (source also of Old Saxon resta "resting place, burial-place," Dutch rust, Old High German rasta, German Rast "rest, peace, repose"), a word of uncertain origin.
The original prehistoric signification of the Germanic noun was perhaps a measure of distance; compare Old High German rasta, which in addition to "rest" meant "league of miles," Old Norse rost "league, distance after which one rests," Gothic rasta "mile, stage of a journey." If so, perhaps a word from the nomadic period. But if the original sense was "repose," the sense was extended secondarily to "distance between two resting places."
Sense of "absence or cessation of motion" is from late 15c. The meaning "that on which anything leans for support, thing upon which something rests" is attested from 1580s, with specific senses developing later. In music, "an interval of silence," also the mark or sign denoting this, 1570s.
At rest "dead" is from mid-14c., on the notion of "last rest, the big sleep, the grave." The roadside rest stop for drivers on busy highways is by 1970. The colloquial expression give (something) a rest "stop talking about it" is by 1927, American English.
rest (v.2)
[be left, remain] mid-15c., "remain, continue in existence," from Old French rester "to remain, stay" (12c.), from Latin restare "stand back, be left," from re- "back" (see re-) + stare "to stand" (from PIE root *sta- "to stand, make or be firm").
It has been largely confused and partly merged with rest (v.1), which, however, is Germanic.
The meaning "be in a certain state or position" (of affairs, etc.) is from late 15c. The older sense of "to continue to be" is rare but in phrases such as rest assured. To rest with "be in the power of, depend upon" is by 1819.
The transitive sense of "to keep, cause to continue to remain" was common in 16c.-17c., "used with a predicate adjective following and qualifying the object" [Century Dictionary]. Hence the phrase rest you merry (1540s, Shakespeare also has rest you fair), earlier rest þe murie (mid-13c.), as a greeting, "rest well, be happy," from the old adverbial use of merry. The Christmas carol lyric God rest ye merry, gentlemen, often is mispunctuated.
restart (v.)
also re-start, "start again," 1845, from re- "again" + start (v.). Related: Restarted; restarting. As a noun from 1881, "a fresh start."
restatement (n.)
"a second statement, a statement expressed over in a new way" as of facts or opinions, 1785, from restate + -ment.
restate (v.)
also re-state, "express over again or in a new way," 1713, from re- "again" + state (v.). Related: Restated; restating.
restaurant (n.)
"an eating-house, establishment where meals may be bought and eaten," 1821, from French restaurant "a restaurant," originally "food that restores," noun use of present participle of restaurer "to restore or refresh," from Old French restorer (see restore).
Italian spelling ristorante attested in English by 1925. Middle English had similar words in legal language, such as restaurance "restitution." The railroad restaurant car (1872) was one adapted to afford meals to passengers while travelling.
restaurateur (n.)
"keeper of a restaurant," 1796, from French restaurateur, agent noun from restaurer "to restore" (see restaurant). Medieval Latin restaurator meant "restorer, one who re-establishes." The nativized restauranter is recorded by 1880 in American English; OED calls restauranteur (1878, also American English) "An erroneous form." Cognate with Spanish restaurador, Italian ristoratore.
rest-cure (n.)
"treatment of nervous exhaustion by prolonged complete rest, isolation in bed, etc.," 1877, from rest (n.1) "repose" + cure (n.1) "means of healing."
restitution (n.)
early 14c., restitucioun, "a making good or giving equivalent for crime, debt, injury, etc.;" late 14c., "restoration of goods, land, etc. to a former owner, repayment of money;" from Old French restitucion or directly from Latin restitutionem (nominative restitutio) "a restoring," noun of action from past-participle stem of restituere "set up again, restore, rebuild, replace, revive, reinstate, re-establish," from re- "again, to a former state" (see re-) + statuere "to set up" (from PIE root *sta- "to stand, make or be firm").
restitute (v.)
c. 1500, "restore to a position or status, bring back to a former state," from Latin restitutus, past participle of restituere "restore, replace" (see restitution). The sense of "give back, refund, make restitution" is attested by 1730s. Related: Restituted; restituting.
The earlier verb in Middle English was restituen (restitue), late 14c., from the Latin verb via Old French restituer (14c.).
restive (adj.)
early 15c., restif, restyffe, of animals, "not moving forward," from Old French restif "motionless, brought to a standstill" (Modern French rétif), from rester "to remain" (see rest (v.2)).
Rare or archaic in the original sense; the prevailing meaning "refusing to stand still" especially of horses (attested by 1680s) probably is based on the notion of "unmanageable, impatient in restraint" in reference to a horse refusing to go forward (1650s).
But it also is perhaps influenced by rest (v.), an old aphetic form of arrest "to stop, check," and by confusion with restless. Compare resty in the same sense, 1510s of horses, c. 1600 of persons. Related: Restively; restiveness.
restless (adj.)
late 14c., restles, "finding no rest or sleep, unable to rest; uneasy in mind or spirit," from rest (n.1) + -less. A general Germanic compound (Frisian restleas, Dutch rusteloos, German rastlos, Danish rastlös). The meaning "stirring constantly, desirous of action" is attested from late 15c. Related: Restlessly; restlessness. Old English had restleas "deprived of sleep."
restock (v.)
also re-stock, "fit with a new supply, replenish," 1670s, from re- "again" + stock (v.). Related: Restocked; restocking.
restoration (n.)
late 14c., restoracioun, "a means of healing or restoring health, a cure; renewing of something lost," from Old French restoration (Modern French restauration) and directly from Late Latin restorationem (nominative restoratio) "a restoration, renewal," noun of action from past-participle stem of Latin restaurare (see restore).
Also used in Middle English were restorement (14c.), restoring (mid-14c.). From mid-15c. as "the repairing of a damaged or deteriorated building;" from c. 1500 as "a restoring to a former state."
The Restoration (1718) refers to the re-establishment of the monarchy under Charles II in 1660 (and by extension his whole reign); as an adjective in reference to the English theater of this period, by 1842. In French history, it refers to the (briefly interrupted) reinstatement of the Bourbons in 1814.
restorative (adj.)
"capable of restoring health or strength," late 14c., restoratif, from Old French restoratif, restauratif, from restorer (see restore) or from Medieval Latin restaurativus.
restorative (n.)
mid-15c., "food or medicine which restores health or strength," from restorative (adj.), or from Medieval Latin restaurativum "a restorative," noun use of the neuter of restorativus.
restorer (n.)
early 15c., restorour, in medicine (Chauliac), "one who resets a dislocation," from Old French restoreor, agent noun from restorer (see restore (v.)).
restore (v.)
c. 1300, restoren, "to give back," also, "to build up again, repair; renew, re-establish; free from the effects of sin; bring back to a former and better state," from Old French restorer, from Latin restaurare "repair, rebuild, renew." This is from re- "back, again" (see re-) + -staurare, not attested by itself but also in instaurare "to set up, establish; renew, restore," etc., from PIE root *sta- "to stand, make or be firm."
From late 14c. as "to cure, heal, bring back to a vigorous state;" of objects, beliefs, etc., "bring back to an original state or condition," 1670s. Related: Restored; restoring.
restorationist (n.)
1788, "one who believes in the final restoration of all to God's favor after temporary punishment of the impenitent," from restoration + -ist. Related: Restorationism. Regarded from without as a form of universalism but a subject of contention in the sect 1820s-30s. As "one who restores dilapidated buildings," by 1877 (implied, perhaps, in anti-restorationist; at any rate, restorationist is by 1880).
restring (v.)
also re-string, "to string anew or again," 1809, from re- "again" + string (v.). Related: Restrung; restringing.
restrain (v.)
mid-14c., restreinen, "to stop, prevent, curb" (a vice, purpose, appetite, desire), from stem of Old French restraindre, restreindre "to press, push together; curb, bridle; bandage" (12c.), from Latin restringere "draw back tightly, tie back; confine, check" (see restriction).
From late 14c. as "keep (someone or something) from a course of action," hence "keep in check or under control, deprive (someone) of liberty by restraint" (1520s). Related: Restrained; restraining; restrainer; restrainable.
re-strain (v.)
"strain again or anew," in reference to filtration, 1874, from re- "again" + strain (v.). With hyphenated spelling and accent on the prefix to distinguish it from restrain. Related: Re-strained; re-straining.
restrained (adj.)
late 15c., "self-controlled; kept under control," past-participle adjective from restrain. Related: Restrainedly.
restraint (n.)
"action of holding back (action or motion); that which restrains, a check, hindrance," early 15c., restreinte, from Old French restreinte, noun use of fem. past participle of restraindre (see restrain).
Specifically in reference to refractory prisoners or dangerous lunatics by 1829. The sense of "reserve, repression of extravagance in manner or style" is from c. 1600. Phrase restraint of trade is by 1630s.
restream (v.)
also re-stream, 1711, "to stream back," from re- "back, again" + stream (v.). Related: Restreamed; restreaming.
restricted (adj.)
"limited, confined," 1830, past-participle adjective from restrict. Of government documents, etc., "secret, not for public release" it is recorded from 1944. Related: Restrictedly. The older adjective was simply restrict. In mid-20c. U.S., restricted was a euphemism for "off-limits to Jews" (1947).
restriction (n.)
early 15c., restriccioun, "a cessation, the property of staunching bleeding," from Old French restriction (14c.) and directly from Late Latin restrictionem (nominative restrictio) "limitation," noun of action from past-participle stem of Latin restringere "restrict, bind fast, restrain," from re- "back" (see re-) + stringere "draw tight" (see strain (v.)). General sense of "that which restricts" is by early 15c. Meaning "act, process, or fact of restricting; state of being restricted" is from 1620s.
restrictive (adj.)
early 15c., restrictif, "serving to bind or draw together," specifically, in medicine (Chauliac) "staunching loss of blood, stringent, styptic," from Medieval Latin restrictivus, from Latin restrict-, past-participle stem of restringere "restrict, restrain" (see restriction). In reference to terms, etc., "imposing or implying restriction," 1570s. Related: Restrictively; restrictiveness.
restrict (v.)
1530s, "to limit, bound, confine (someone or something), prevent from passing a certain limit in any kind of action," from Latin restrictus, past participle of restringere "bind fast, restrain" (see restriction). Regarded 18c. as a Scottishism. Related: Restricted; restricting.
restroom (n.)
also rest room, rest-room, 1887, "room set aside for rest and quiet" (in a workplace, public building, etc.); see rest (n.1) + room (n.). As these often later had (or were required to have) accessory toilet-rooms, by 1930s the word came to be a euphemism for "lavatory, toilet."
restructure (v.)
"organize in a new pattern," 1951, from re- "back, again" + structure (v.). Related: Restructured; restructuring.
restyle (v.)
also re-style, "style again, give a new style to," by 1934, from re- "back, again" + style (v.). Related: Restyled; restyling.
resubmission (n.)
"a renewed submission," 1640s; see re- "back, again" + submission.
resubmit (v.)
"submit anew or again," 1814, from re- "again" + submit (v.). Related: Resubmitted; resubmitting.
result (v.)
early 15c., resulten, "occur as a result, arise as a consequence of facts, arguments, etc.," from Latin resultare "to spring forward, rebound" (in Medieval Latin "to result"), a frequentative from the past participle of resilire "to rebound" (see resilience). The etymological sense is rare in English, mostly in poetry, now obsolete. Related: Resulted; resulting.
resultant (adj.)
"existing or following as a consequence, resulting," 1630s, from resultant (adj.) and from Medieval Latin resultantem (nominative resultans), present participle of resultare "to result" (see result (v.)).
resultant (n.)
mid-15c., in mathematics, "the total or sum, the sum of an addition or product of a multiplication," from Medieval Latin resultantem (nominative resultans), present participle of resultare "to result" (see result (v.)). Sense in mechanics is from 1815.
result (n.)
1620s, "action of leaping or springing back" (a sense now obsolete); 1640s, "outcome, effect, consequence;" 1650s, "decision, outcome of an action or process;" from result (v.). Related: Results "favorable or desirable consequences" (by 1922). Mathematical sense of "quantity or value ascertained by a calculation" is by 1771.
resultless (adj.)
"ineffectual," 1846, from result (n.) + -less.
resume (n.)
also résumé, 1804, "a summary, summing up, recapitulation," from French résumé, noun use of past participle of resumer "to sum up," from Latin resumere "take again, take up again" (see resume (v.)). Meaning "biographical summary of a person's career" is 1940s.
resume (v.)
c. 1400, resumen, "repossess, resume possession" (of goods, money, etc.); early 15c., "regain, take back, take to oneself anew" (courage, strength, hope, etc.); from Old French resumer (14c.) and directly from Latin resumere "take again, take up again, assume again," from re- "again" (denoting "repetition of an action;" see re-) + sumere "to take, obtain, buy," from sus‑, variant of sub‑ "up from under" + emere "to take" (from PIE root *em- "to take, distribute").
From mid-15c. as "recommence, continue (a practice, custom, occupation, etc.), begin again after interruption;" also "begin again." The intransitive sense of "proceed after interruption" is from 1802. Related: Resumed; resuming.
resumable (adj.)
"capable of being taken back or up again," 1640s, from resume (v.) + -able.
resumption (n.)
mid-15c., resumpcion, "repossessing (by royal authority) of lands, goods, etc., previously granted to someone," a feudal term, from Old French resumption, resompcion, and directly from Medieval Latin resumptionem (nominative resumptio) "a taking up again," noun of action from past-participle stem of Latin resumere "take again, take up again, assume again" (see resume (v.)). The general sense of "act of resuming; a taking up or commencing again" is from 1580s. In 19c. U.S. history, "a return to specie payments by the government."
resupply (v.)
also re-supply, "supply again or anew," 1630s, from re- "again" + supply (v.). Related: Resupplied; resupplying. As a noun, "a fresh supply, act of resupplying," by 1875.
resurface (v.)
1857, "to provide (a road) with a fresh surface" (implied in resurfacing), from re- "back, again" + surface (v.). Meaning "to come to the surface again" (originally of submarines) is recorded by 1940. Related: Resurfaced.
resurgence (n.)
"act of rising again," 1799, originally figurative; see resurgent + -ence.
resurge (v.)
surge back again, rise again," "1887 in modern use, from re- "again" + surge (v.), or else a back-formation from resurgent. The verb also was in use in 17c., from Latin resurgere, but it became obsolete by 19c. unless in poetry. An older verb form was resourd (mid-15c.). Related: Resurged; resurging.
resurgent (adj.)
"that rises again," 1804, specifically "revivification of animals," in a translation of Spallanzani's Italian, from Latin resurgere "rise again, lift oneself, be restored," from re- "again" (see re-) + surgere "to rise" (see surge). There was verb resurge "to rise again" (1570s), but it became obsolete.
resurrection (n.)
c. 1300, resureccioun, "the rising again of Christ after his death and burial," also a picture or image of this and the name of a Church festival commemorating it, from Anglo-French resurrectiun, Old French resurrection "the Resurrection of Christ" (12c.) and directly from Church Latin resurrectionem (nominative resurrectio) "a rising again from the dead," noun of action from past-participle stem of Latin resurgere "rise again, appear again" (see resurgent). Replaced Old English æriste; in Middle English sometimes translated as againrising.
The general or figurative sense of "a revival, a rising again" is from late 15c. Also used in Middle English of the rising again of the dead on the Last Day (c. 1300) and the future state which follows. Chaucer uses it of the opening of a flower, "whan that yt shulde unclose Agayn the sonne."
Resurrectionist, euphemism for "grave-robber," is attested from 1776. Resurrection pie was mid-19c. English schoolboy slang for a pie made from leftovers of previous meals; first attested 1831 as a Sheffield dialect term.
resurrect (v.)
"to raise from the dead or the grave, reanimate, restore to life," 1772, a back-formation from resurrection on the model of connect, protect, etc. Generally frowned upon by purists and marked "colloquial" in Century Dictionary (1895), but others see value in it. "The correct form is resurge, which, however, is intransitive only, whereas the verb resurrect can be used both as transitive and intransitive ..." [Klein]. Related: Resurrected; resurrecting.
resurvey (v.)
1590s, "examine or read over, review," from re- "again, back" + survey (v.). Sense of "survey (land) again" is from 1747. Related: Resurveyed; resurveying. As a noun from 1660s, "a fresh survey."
resuscitate (v.)
1530s, "revive, restore, revivify (a thing), restore (a person) to life," from Latin resuscitatus, past participle of resuscitare "rouse again, revive," from re- "again" (see re-) + suscitare "to raise, revive," from sub "(up from) under" (see sub-) + citare "to summon" (see cite). The intransitive sense of "recover from apparent death" is recorded from 1650s. Related: Resuscitated; resuscitating. Earlier were resuscen "restore (someone) to life, resurrect" (c. 1400); resusciten (mid-15c.), from Old French resusciter, Latin resuscitare.
resuscitation (n.)
early 15c., resuscitacion, "resurrection of a dead person (as in apparent drownings, etc.), restoration to life," also figurative, "revival, revivification," from Old French resuscitation or directly from Late Latin resuscitationem (nominative resuscitatio), noun of action from past-participle stem of resuscitare "rouse again, revive" (see resuscitate).
ret (v.)
"to soak stems of fibrous plants (flax, hemp, jute, etc.) to soften them," mid-15c., probably from Middle Dutch roten (or an unrecorded cognate Old Norse word that is related to Norwegian røyta, Swedish röta, Danish røde); the group is considered to be related to Old English rotian "to rot" (see rot (v.)), but the vowel is difficult. The process partially rots the stems so the workers may better get the fibers.
retail (v.)
early 15c., retailen, "sell in small quantities or parcels," from the noun or from Old French retaillier "cut back, cut off, pare, clip, reduce, circumcise," from re- "back" (see re-) + taillier "to cut, trim" (see tailor (n.)). Sometimes also "to deal out (information, etc.) in small quantities; hand down by report; recount, tell over again" (1590s). Related: Retailed; retailing.
retailing (n.)
"the selling of goods in small quantities," mid-15c., verbal noun from retail (v.).
retailer (n.)
mid-15c., retaillour, "a retail merchant or dealer, one who sells goods in small quantities," agent noun from retail (v.) or else from Old French retailleor.
retail (n.)
early 15c., "sale of commodities in small quantities or parcels" (opposed to wholesale), from Old French retail "piece cut off, shred, scrap, paring" (Modern French retaille), from retaillier "cut back, cut off" (see retail (v.)). The notion of the English word is "a selling by the piece." This sense is not in French, however, and comes perhaps from cognate Italian ritaglio, which does have that sense. As an adjective, "of or pertaining to sale at retail," c. 1600.