against

I. 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

>