Flakeproof

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Designed or treated to resist flaking or peeling off surfaces
2. Able to withstand conditions that cause surface material to chip or fall away
3. Made to prevent small pieces from breaking off or coming loose

Etymology: "Flakeproof" is a plain compound: "flake," meaning a thin, loose fragment that breaks away from a surface, joined to the suffix "-proof," which comes from the adjective "proof" in the sense of "impervious to" or "able to withstand" something. The pattern is the same as "waterproof" or "fireproof," in which "-proof" signals protection against the stated harm. Here the harm is the surface shedding thin layers of itself, so the word describes coatings, paints, glazes, and similar treatments built to hold their finish intact. Because the word is built transparently from two familiar parts, its meaning can be read straight off its structure, and no specific coinage or change of sense is recorded for it.

Synonyms: durable, resistant, long-lasting, hardwearing, tough

Antonyms: flaky, fragile, brittle, weak, delicate