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.
Jacob saw the angels of God come against him.
Tyndale.
2. From an opposite direction so as to strike or
come in contact with; in contact with; upon; as, hail beats against
the roof.
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.
The gate would have been shut against her.
Fielding.
An argument against the use of steam.
Tyndale.
4. By of before the time that; in preparation for;
so as to be ready for the time when. [Archaic or Dial.]
Urijah the priest made it, against King Ahaz came
from Damascus.
2 Kings xvi. 11.
Against the sun, in a direction contrary to that
in which the sun appears to move.
