A‐gainst″ (?; 277), prep. [OE. agens, ageynes, AS. ongegn. The s is adverbial, orig. a genitive ending. See Again.] 1. Abreast; opposite to; facing; towards; as, against the mouth of a river; — in this sense often preceded by over.
Jacob saw the angels of God come against him.
Tyndale.
2. From an opposite direction so as to strike or come in contact with; in contact with; upon; as, hail beats against the roof.
3. In opposition to, whether the opposition is of sentiment or of action; on the other side; counter to; in contrariety to; hence, adverse to; as, against reason; against law; to run a race against time.
The gate would have been shut against her.
Fielding.
An argument against the use of steam.
Tyndale.
4. By of before the time that; in preparation for; so as to be ready for the time when. [Archaic or Dial.]
Urijah the priest made it, against King Ahaz came from Damascus.
2 Kings xvi. 11.
Against the sun, in a direction contrary to that in which the sun appears to move.