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Against

 - 4 dictionary results

a⋅gainst

  [uh-genst, uh-geynst]
Use Against in a Sentence
–preposition
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.
–conjunction
12. Archaic. before; by the time that.
—Idiom
13. over against, in contrast with: the rich over against the poor.
Origin:
1125–75; ME agens, ageynes, equiv. to ageyn again + -es -s 1 ; for -t cf. whilst, amongst
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Against
a·gainst   (ə-gěnst')   
prep.  

  1. In a direction or course opposite to: row against the current.

  2. So as to come into forcible contact with: waves dashing against the shore.

  3. In contact with so as to rest or press on: leaned against the tree.

  4. In hostile opposition or resistance to: struggle against fate.

  5. Contrary to; opposed to: against my better judgment.

  6. In competition with: race against the record holder.

  7. In contrast or comparison with the setting or background of: dark colors against a fair skin.

  8. In preparation for; in anticipation of: food stored against winter.

  9. As a defense or safeguard from: protection against the cold.

  10. To the account or debt of: drew a check against my bank balance.

  11. Directly opposite to; facing.


[Middle English, alteration of againes, from Old English ongeagn.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

against 
c.1130, agenes "in opposition to," a southern variant of agen "again" (see again), with adverbial genitive and a parasitic -t that turned up c.1350.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

against

In addition to the idioms beginning with against, also see beat one's head against the wall; cards are stacked against; come up against; count against; dead set against; guard against; have something against; hold something against; lift a hand against; over against; pit someone against; run against; set against; swim against; turn against; two strikes against; up against.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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