"Sist" Stands Tall

sist-stand

Quick Summary

The Latin root sist means “stand.” This Latin root is the word origin of a good number of highly used English vocabulary words, including resist, consist, and insist. The root sist is easily recalled via the word assist, for when you assist someone with a task you “stand” towards them to do so.

"Sist" Stands Tall

The Latin root word sist means “stand.” Today we will not desist or “stand” away from the root sist—I insist!

Sometimes it’s difficult to complete a task all by yourself, which is why you might need assistance, or help which “stands” by you. Some people, such as teachers with many students, insist or take a “stand” on the fact that they need an assistant, or one who “stands” by them to aid them.

Sometimes it’s hard to resist or"stand" back from doing something, like chowing down on chocolate. Such difficulty arises from the fact that chocolate consists of or “stands” firm by containing very tasty things, like sugar and cacao beans. However, if you’ve made a promise to desist or “stand” from eating it, you’re going to have to persist or thoroughly make a “stand” until that period of time elapses. Don’t feel too bad, however, if that chocolate becomes irresistible so that you just are not capable of “standing” back from it anymore! Wouldn’t it be great if we could all just subsist on chocolate, or have it “stand” under us for our complete nutritional needs?

And what does it really mean to exist? That which exists is “standing” forth from nothingness so as to be seen. That which is nonexistent cannot be “seen” or sensed because it isn’t there, that is, it is not “standing” forth at all. Note that the letter “x” can be thought of as a “ks,” and hence the word exist does after all eksist via the Latin root sist!

Although I could exhibit persistence in a consistent fashion or a not inconsistent way by offering more English vocabulary words that consist of sist, I will now desist in this endeavor so as to avoid any possible resistance from my listeners—after all, I wouldn’t want them to “stand” up and walk away!

  1. assistance: the act of “standing” by another to help them
  2. assistant: one who “stands” near another to help them
  3. insist: to “stand” on an idea
  4. resist: to “stand” back from
  5. consist: to “stand” together so as to form something
  6. desist: to “stand” from
  7. persist: to thoroughly “stand” in the doing of something
  8. irresistible: not capable of “standing” back from something
  9. subsist: to “stand” under in order to support
  10. exist: to “stand” forth or out
  11. nonexistent: not “standing” forth or out
  12. persistence: act of thoroughly “standing” until something is completed
  13. consistent: a “standing” strong and not wavering
  14. inconsistent: a not “standing” strong
  15. resistance: the act of “standing” against something

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