O.E. wišstandan, from wiš "against" (see with) + standan "to stand" (see stand (v.)); perhaps a loan-translation of L. resistere "to resist" (see resist). Cf. O.N. višstanda, O.Fris. withstonda, O.H.G. widarstan. In 14c. and early 15c., withsit was in use with the same meaning.
