adv.
Pronunciation: ə - ' gen(t)st, - ' gin(t)st, - ' g ā n(t)st
Function: preposition
Etymology: Middle English, alteration of againes, from again
Date: 13th century
1 a : in opposition or hostility to <spoke against his enemies> b : contrary to < against the law> c : in competition with <racing against each other> d : as a basis for disapproval of <had nothing against him>
2 a : directly opposite : FACING <she sat down just over against me ― Daniel Defoe> b obsolete : exposed to
3 : compared or contrasted with <profits are up against last year>
4 a : in preparation or provision for <saving against an uncertain future> b : as a defense or protection from <a shelter against the cold>
5 a : in the direction of and into contact with <knocked against the ropes> b : in contact with <leaning against the wall>
6 : in a direction opposite to the motion or course of : counter to <sail against the wind>
7 a : as a counterbalance to <weighing risk against profit> b : in exchange for <a lower rate against the dollar> c : as a charge on <charged against her account>
8 : before the background of <viewed against the sky>