I. ə-ˈgen(t)st, -ˈgin(t)st, -ˈgān(t)st 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
II. conjunction
Date: 14th century
archaic : in preparation for the time when
throw on another log of wood against father comes home — Charles Dickens