[ ə'gɛnst , ə'geɪnst ]
■ preposition
1》 in opposition to.
↘in resistance to.
2》 in anticipation of and preparation for (a difficulty).
↘(in betting) in anticipation of the failure of: the odds were 5–1 ~ England.
3》 in relation to (money owed, due, or lent) so as to reduce, cancel, or secure it.
4》 in or into contact with.
5》 in contrast to.
Phrases
have something ~ dislike or bear a grudge ~.
Origin
ME: from again + -s (adverbial genitive) + -t , prob. by assoc. with superlatives (as in amongst ).