- against
-
/euh genst", euh gaynst"/, prep.1. in opposition to; contrary to; adverse or hostile to: twenty votes against ten; against reason.2. in resistance to or defense from: protection against burglars.3. in an opposite direction to: to ride against the wind.4. into contact or collision with; toward; upon: The rain beat against the window.5. in contact with: to lean against the wall.6. in preparation for; in provision for: money saved against a rainy day.7. having as background: a design of flowers against a dark wall.8. in exchange for; as a balance to or debit or charge on: He asked for an advance against his salary.9. in competition with: a racehorse running against his own record time.10. in comparison or contrast with: a matter of reason as against emotion.11. beside; near; before: The car is against the building.12. over against, in contrast with: the rich over against the poor.conj.13. Archaic. before; by the time that.[1125-75; ME agens, ageynes, equiv. to ageyn AGAIN + -es -S1; for -t cf. WHILST, AMONGST]
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Universalium. 2010.