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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