[against] prep [ME, alter. of againes, fr. again] (13c) 1 a: in opposition or hostility to b: contrary to "~ the law" c: in competition with d: as a basis for disapproval of "had nothing ~ him"
2. a: directly opposite: facing b obs: exposed to
3: compared or contrasted with
4. a: in preparation or provision for b: as a defense or protection from
5. a: in the direction of and into contact with b: in contact with
6: in a direction opposite to the motion or course of: counter to
7. a: as a counterbalance to b: in exchange for c: as a charge on 8: before the background of
[2]against conj (14c) archaic: in preparation for the time when "throw on another log of wood ~ father comes home --Charles Dickens"