from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Against \A*gainst"\ (?; 277), prep. [OE. agens, ageynes, AS.
ongegn. The s is adverbial, orig. a genitive ending. See
{Again}.]
1. Abreast; opposite to; facing; towards; as, against the
mouth of a river; -- in this sense often preceded by over.
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Jacob saw the angels of God come against him.
--Tyndale.
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2. From an opposite direction so as to strike or come in
contact with; in contact with; upon; as, hail beats
against the roof.
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3. In opposition to, whether the opposition is of sentiment
or of action; on the other side; counter to; in
contrariety to; hence, adverse to; as, against reason;
against law; to run a race against time.
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The gate would have been shut against her.
--Fielding.
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An argument against the use of steam. --Tyndale.
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4. By of before the time that; in preparation for; so as to
be ready for the time when. [Archaic or Dial.]
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Urijah the priest made it, against King Ahaz came
from Damascus. --2 Kings xvi.
11.
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{Against the sun}, in a direction contrary to that in which
the sun appears to move.
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