against

against [ə genst′; ] also, esp. Cdn & Brit [, əgānst′]

prep.

[ME ayeynst, opposite to, facing < OE ongegn, ongean (see AGAIN), with adv. gen. -es + unhistoric -t]

1.

a) in opposition to or competition with [a fight against evil]

b) contrary to [against one's will]

2. toward so as to press on or strike [push against the door; throw the ball against the wall]

3. in contact with [a ladder leaned against the barn]

4. opposite to the course or direction of [driving against the traffic]

5.

a) in contrast with [green against the gold]

b) in comparison with [items checked against a list]

6. in preparation for; for the possibility of [we provided against a poor crop]

7. as a debit or charge on [a bill entered against our account]

8. Now Dial. next to; adjoining [the house against the church]

conj.

Archaic by the time that; before

by the time that; before

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over against

1. opposite to

2. as compared with