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Against

//əˈɡeɪnst// conj, prep

Definitions

Conjunction
  1. 1
    By the time that (something happened); before. obsolete

    "Thence she them brought into a stately Hall, / Wherein were many tables faire dispred, / And ready dight with drapets festiuall, / Against the viaundes should be ministred."

Preposition
  1. 1
    In a contrary direction to.

    "It is hard work to swim against the current."

  2. 2
    In physical opposition to; in collision with.

    "The rain pounds against the window."

  3. 3
    In physical contact with, so as to abut or be supported by.

    "The ladder was leaning against the wall."

  4. 4
    Close to, alongside.

    "A row of trees stood against a fence."

  5. 5
    In front of; before (a background).

    "The giant was silhouetted against the door."

Show 12 more definitions
  1. 6
    In contrast or comparison with.

    "There is an awesome authenticity in Barrus's voice which, I imagine, is frightening to those who must evaluate art against a one-dimensional standard of political rectitude."

  2. 7
    In competition with, versus.

    "The Tigers will play against the Bears this weekend."

  3. 8
    Contrary to; in conflict with.

    "Doing this is against my principles."

  4. 9
    In opposition to.

    "Are you against freedom of choice?"

  5. 10
    Of betting odds, denoting a worse-than-even chance.

    "That horse is fifty-to-one against, so it has virtually no chance of winning."

  6. 11
    In exchange for.

    "The vouchers are redeemable against West End shows and theatre breaks."

  7. 12
    As counterbalance to.
  8. 13
    As a charge on.

    "Tax is levied against income from sales."

  9. 14
    As protection from.

    "He turned the umbrella against the wind."

  10. 15
    In anticipation of; in preparation for (a particular time, event etc.).

    "The stores are kept well stocked against a time of need."

  11. 16
    To be paid now in contrast to the following amount to be paid later under specified circumstances, usually that a movie is made or has started filming.

    "The studio weren't sure the movie would ever get made, so they only paid $50,000 against $200,000. That way they wouldn't be out very much if filming never began."

  12. 17
    Exposed to. obsolete

Etymology

Etymology 1

Formed from Middle English ayenes, agenes, againes (“in opposition to”), a southern variant of agen, or directly from again, either way with adverbial genitive singular ending -es; the parasitic -t was added circa 1350, probably by confusion with the superlative ending -est. By surface analysis, again + -st (excrescent ending). Cognate with Saterland Frisian juun (“against”), West Frisian tsjin (“against”), Dutch tegen (“against”), German Low German gegen (“against”), German gegen (“against”), Icelandic gegn (“against”).

Etymology 2

Formed from Middle English ayenes, agenes, againes (“in opposition to”), a southern variant of agen, or directly from again, either way with adverbial genitive singular ending -es; the parasitic -t was added circa 1350, probably by confusion with the superlative ending -est. By surface analysis, again + -st (excrescent ending). Cognate with Saterland Frisian juun (“against”), West Frisian tsjin (“against”), Dutch tegen (“against”), German Low German gegen (“against”), German gegen (“against”), Icelandic gegn (“against”).

See also for "against"

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