against

== English == === Alternative forms === againest (obsolete), agaynest (obsolete), agaynst (obsolete) ageinest (obsolete, rare), ageinst (obsolete), agenest (obsolete), agenst (obsolete), ageynest (obsolete, rare), ageynst (obsolete), agin (colloquial or humorous) 'gainst, gainst (poetic) === Etymology === Formed from Middle English ayenes, agenes, againes (“in opposition to”), a southern variant of agen, or directly from again, either way with adverbial genitive singular ending -es; the parasitic -t was added circa 1350, probably by confusion with the superlative ending -est. By surface analysis, again +‎ -st (excrescent ending). Cognate with Saterland Frisian juun (“against”), West Frisian tsjin (“against”), Dutch tegen (“against”), German Low German gegen (“against”), German gegen (“against”), Icelandic gegn (“against”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): (UK) /əˈɡɛnst/, /əˈɡeɪnst/ (US) IPA(key): /əˈɡɛnst/ (Canada) IPA(key): /əˈɡɛnst/, /əˈɡeɪnst/, [əˈɡeə̯nst], [əˈɡɛːnst] Hyphenation: a‧gainst Rhymes: -ɛnst, -eɪnst === Preposition === against In a contrary direction to. In physical opposition to; in collision with. In physical contact with, so as to abut or be supported by. Close to, alongside. In front of; before (a background). In contrast or comparison with. In competition with, versus. Contrary to; in conflict with. In opposition to. Antonym: for (with implied object) Ten voted for, and three voted against. Of betting odds, denoting a worse-than-even chance. Antonym: on In exchange for. As counterbalance to. (Can we add an example for this sense?) As a charge on. As protection from. In anticipation of; in preparation for (a particular time, event etc.). (Hollywood) To be paid now in contrast to the following amount to be paid later under specified circumstances, usually that a movie is made or has started filming. (obsolete) Exposed to. (Can we add an example for this sense?) ==== Synonyms ==== (in competition with): versus ==== Antonyms ==== with ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Conjunction === against (obsolete) By the time that (something happened); before. ==== Translations ==== === Anagrams === Gaitans, antigas, antisag == Scots == === Etymology === Formed from Middle English ayenes, agenes, againes (“in opposition to”), a southern variant of agen. Equivalent to again +‎ -s (“adverbial genitive”) +‎ -t. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /əˈɡenst/, /əˈɡɛnst/ === Preposition === against towards, near (of time) === References === “against, prep.”, in The Dictionary of the Scots Language, Edinburgh: Scottish Language Dictionaries, 2004–present, →OCLC.