- a|gainst´ness
- a|gainst «uh GEHNST; especially British uh GAYNST», preposition, conjunction.–prep.1. in opposition to; contrary to: »
It is against the law to cross the street when the light is red. This is against the rules of the game. The dogs fought against the lion.
2. actively opposed; hostile to: »Why are you against me?
3. a) so as to strike; upon: »Rain beats against the window.
b) in the opposite direction to; so as to meet: »We will sail against the wind.
5. in contact with: »The ladder is leaning against the wall.
6. in contrast to or with: »The ship appeared against the sky.
7. in preparation for: »Squirrels store up nuts against the winter. [I am] saving up money against the next time I might have to go to New York (A. J. Liebling).
8. so as to defend or protect from: »An umbrella is a protection against rain.
9. in return for: »to trade one thing against another.
–conj.Archaic. by the time that; before.╂[Middle English agenes < agen, Old English ongegn again + adverbial genitive -s (the -t is a later addition)]–a|gainst´ness, noun.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.