Against

prep. (adv.), conj. Forms: South. 2 aȝænes, aȝenes, 2–3 aȝeines, 3–5 aȝeynes, aȝaines, 4–5 aȝeins, ayenis, ayeins, ayans, 4–5 aȝens, ayens; Midl. 3–4 (east) agenes, 4–5 ageynes, ageyns, agens, 5 ageins, agains, (west) aȝayns, -us, agaynus; North. 4 ogaynes, ogaines, agaynes, 4–5 agayns, agaynys, 5 aganys, Sc. 5–6 agains, aganis, agans. Also with parasitic -t, South. 4–5 aȝenst, 5 aȝeynst, 5–6 ayenst; Midl. 5–6 ageynst(e, agenst(e, agaynst(e, againste, 6– against. [Formed on aȝen, ayen, AGAIN, by genitive ending -es, after the kindred tó-ʓeánes, to-yenes in which a genitive, governed by tó, is found in the oldest English: see TO-GAINS. Late in the 14th c., after the -es had ceased to be syllabic, the final -ens, -ains developed in the south a parasitic -t as in amongs-t, betwix-t, amids-t, probably confused with superlatives in -st, and c. 1525 this became universal in literary English; aganis, agains, sinking into a dialectal northern form. The earlier forms of againes present all the dialectal variations found in AGAIN. The poets occasionally aphetize it to ’gainst. Essentially a prep. (very rarely an adverb in 15th c.); but becoming by ellipsis a conj., or conjunctive adverb.]

  I.  Of position.

  1.  Directly opposite; facing, in front of, in full view of. Now generally over against.

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 7. Þe castel þe wes aȝeines drih[t]nes twa leornikenehtes.

1366.  Maundev., i. 9. The tother Hond he lifteth up aȝenst the Est.

c. 1450.  Lonelich, Graal, II. 199. They lokeden aȝens a mowntaygne.

1483.  Caxton, Gold. Leg., 193/4. Saynt Marcial helde up his burdon ayenst the fyre.

1551.  Robinson, trans. More’s Utopia, 93. The men sitte upon the bench next the wall and the women againste them on the other side of the table.

1551.  Recorde, Pathw. Knowl., II. xi. In euery triangle, the greattest side lieth against the greattest angle.

1604.  Dekker, King’s Entert. (1873), I. 299. In a direct line against them stoode the three Howres.

1611.  Bible, Matt. xxi. 2. Go into the village over against you. Ibid., xxvii. 61. Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting ouer against the sepulchre.

1695.  Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), III. 487. The Commissioners of the Admiralty satt in the new office against Scotland Yard.

1703.  Moxon, Mech. Exerc., 193. These Semi-circles must be made so exactly against each other that when … clapt close together, the Semi-circles on both the Cheeks shall become a perfect round hole.

1741.  Richardson, Pamela (1824), I. 143. And so handed me to the coach … and sat backwards over against me.

  † b.  Exposed to (light, cold, etc.). Obs.

1490.  Caxton, Eneydos, xxi. 77. Theire hyghe saylles … alle spred abrode ayenst the wyndes.

1509.  Hawes, Past. Pleas., III. ii. Turrettes fayre and hye, Which against Phebus shone so marveylously.

1595.  Shaks., John, V. iv. 25. As a forme of waxe Resolueth from his figure ’gainst the fire. Ibid. (c. 1600), Sonnets, lxxiii. Those boughes which shake against the could.

1697.  Dryden, Virg. Georg., i. 66. While Mountain Snows dissolve against the Sun.

1752.  Young, Brothers, II. i. (1757), II. 228. In polish’d armour, shine against the sun.

  † 2.  In the sight of, in presence of; with (L. apud). Obs.

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 79. Þa þe he heuede scome aȝeines his scuppende.

1387.  Trevisa, Higden, Rolls Ser. VII. 333. Pope Alisaundre aroos worschipfulliche aȝenst hym. Ibid., VII. 99. He schulde be to hem trewe lorde aȝenst God and þe world.

1483.  Caxton, G. de la Tour, k ij. Humble themself the one ageynst the other.

a. 1520.  Myrroure of Our Ladye, 146. Ageynste the Lorde ys mercy and plentyous redempcyon.

  3.  fig. Towards, with respect to, in regard to.

1387.  Trevisa, Higden, Rolls Ser. VI. 375. Merciable aȝenst pore men.

1481.  Earl Worcestre, Tully on Friendship, IV. 10. That our benyvolence ayenst our frendes may answere evenly to the benyvolence which they bere ayenst us.

1506.  Ord. Crysten Men (W. de Worde), I. v. 48. Charyte by some approbacyon is ayenst y^e fader. Fayth is ayenst the sone. Hope is ayenst the holy goost.

1557.  Apprenticeship Indenture, in Norf. Antiq. Misc. (1880), II. 14. He shall behave himselfe gently ageynst his seyde Master.

1871.  Markby, Elem. Law, § 155. The legal rights of subjects as against each other and the constitutional rights of subjects against the government.

  4.  More generally: Towards the front of, near, adjoining. Also fig. Still dial. e.g., ‘I met him against the pond.’

1531.  Elyot, Governour (1836), 156. The most damnable vice, and most against injustice … is Ingratitude.

1669.  Bunyan, Holy Citie, 128. Against this Tophet … was the broad wall of the City.

1725.  De Foe, Voy. round World (1840), 66. Three of their ships lay against the walls.

  II.  Of motion towards.

  † 5.  In a direction facing; towards, forward to, to meet. Obs.

c. 1325.  E. E. Allit. Poems, B. 611. Þe good mon gos hem agayneȝ.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Clerkes T., 855. Agayns [v.r. A-geyn, a-ȝein(e, aȝeinst] his doghter hastiliche goth he.

c. 1400.  Chester Pl., 59. Againste Abraham will I gone worshippffullye and that anon.

c. 1420.  Chron. Vilod., 748. Þuse relekes weron comyng, with procession ageynes hem.

a. 1520.  Myrroure of Our Ladye, 258. All the people of the cyte came ageynste hym wyth ioye and wyth praysynge.

1535.  Coverdale, Gen. xxiv. 65. What man is this that commeth agaynst us in the felde?

1566.  Udall, Royster Doyster, III. iii. (Arb.), 43. As fast as I could runne sir in poste against you.

1634.  Malory’s Arthur (1816), I. 179. Against whom came queen Guenever, and met with him, and made great joy of his coming.

  † b.  In reception of, in welcome of. Obs.

c. 1430.  Hymns to Virg., &c. (1867), 52. Opene þe ȝatis aȝens me!

  III.  Of motion into contact; pressure upon.

  6.  Toward and into contact with; into direct collision with. Also loosely to run against, to meet accidentally.

1382.  Wyclif, Acts ix. 5. It is hard to thee for to kyke aȝens the pricke.

1480.  Robert the Devyll, 10. Robert threw his boke ayenst the wall.

1601.  Shaks., A. Y. L., II. iv. 60. Till I breake my shins against it. Ibid. (1610), Temp., I. i. 9. Thy cry did knock against my very heart.

1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 96, ¶ 2. Left to sob and beat my Head against the Wall at my Leisure.

1805.  Scott, Last Minstrel, I. xii. The roar of Teviot’s tide, That chafes against the scaur’s red side.

1820.  Keats, St. Agnes, xxxvi. Pattering the sharp sleet Against the window-panes.

Mod.  The ship was dashed against the pier-head. I jostled against him in the crowd. Guess whom I ran against in London the other day?

  7.  Hence of force or pressure resisted, with push, press, lean, hang, stand, lie, etc.: Supported by, in contact with.

1591.  Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., II. v. 43. Leane thine aged back against mine Arme. Ibid. (1608), Peric., V. i. 51. The leafy shelter that abuts against The islands side. Ibid. (1611), Wint. T., IV. iv. 818. Then … shall he be set against a Brick-wall.

1766.  Goldsm., Vic. Wakef. (1806), xvi. 81. The picture … leaned in a most mortifying manner against the kitchen wall.

1815.  Byron, Lara, I. xxi. He lean’d against the lofty pillar nigh.

1818.  Scott, Hrt. Midl., i. He pressed his hands against his forehead.

1859.  Reeve, Brittany, 236. The Chateau … is a squat, heavy structure, much dilapidated and built against.

1871.  Black, Dau. Heth, xxxiv. 313. Ere she knew, his arms were around her, and she was close against his bosom.

Mod.  Older strata tilted against the erupted rocks. A ladder standing against a house.

  8.  In optical contact with something behind, projected on the visible surface of, having as background.

1805.  Southey, Madoc in Azt., xxiv. Wks. V. 360. Far visible Against the clear blue sky.

1864.  D. Mitchell, Seven Stories, 211. The trees … darkly drawn against a bright orange sky.

1869.  Phillips, Vesuv., iv. 124. The outline of the cone was plain against the illuminated vaporous atmosphere.

Mod.  The pictures stand out better against the dark wall.

  IV.  Of motion or action in opposition to.

  9.  In the opposite direction to the course of anything, counter to. Implying adverse motion or effort.

1388.  Wyclif, Acts xxvii. 15. Whanne the schip was rauyschid, and myȝte not enforse aȝens the wynde [1382 into the wynde].

1593.  Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., I. iv. 20. I haue seene a Swan With bootlesse labour swimme against the Tyde.

1611.  Cotgr., Prendre le vent, To goe up, or against the wind.

1653.  Urquhart, Rabelais, I. xxiii. He ran furiously vp against a hill.

1726.  Thomson, Winter, 180. And, often falling, climbs against the blast.

1805.  Foster, Ess., I. vi. 77. To swim against a torrent, to ascend against a cataract.

1879.  Tennyson, Lover’s T., 89. Slow-moving, as a wave against the wind.

  b.  Hence against the hair (Fr. à contrepoil), against the grain: opposed to the natural bent.

1621.  Bp. Mountagu, Diatribæ, 168. This translation cannot passe by you, being somewhat against the haire for you.

1875.  H. Rogers, Superh. Orig. Bible, i. (ed. 3), 33. A system of ethics so much against the grain as that of the Gospel.

  10.  Opposed in tendency or character, contrary to; not in conformity with.

c. 1250.  Gen. & Exod., 538. Hun-wreste plaȝe … a-ȝenes laȝe.

c. 1375.  Lay-Folks Mass-Bk., B. 350. I haue done a-gaynes þi wille synnes mony.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Frankl. T., 617. It is agayns [v.r. a geyn, aȝein(e, aȝeinst] the proces of nature.

1387.  Trevisa, Higden, Rolls Ser. I. 131. Egipte aȝenst kynde of oþer londes haþ plente of corn.

c. 1400.  Rom. Rose, 3154. Bothe ageyns resoun and right.

c. 1440.  Gesta Rom., 4. The flesch desirith thing þat is aȝenst þe spirite, And þe spirit desirith thing aȝenst þe flesch.

1530.  Palsgr., 570/1. I go against nature, or do a thynge contrarye to nature. It is a harde thyng to make a foxe do agaynst nature.

1668.  Culpeper & Cole, trans. Barthol. Anat., I. xxiii. 57. The Opinion of … other late Anatomists, does against all former Authority thus determine.

1676.  Hobbes, Iliad, I. 329. She with them went, though much against her heart.

1708.  Swift, Pred. for 1708, Wks. 1755, II. I. 151. May, against common conjectures, will be no very busy month.

1763.  Burke, in Corr. (1844), I. 48. It is against my general notions to trust to writing.

1810.  Coleridge, Friend (1865), 122. No power on earth can oblige me to act against my conscience.

1843.  Macaulay, in Trevelyan’s Life, II. ix. 128. It goes against my feelings to censure any woman.

  11.  Towards with hostile intent; to meet in hostility; in hostile encounter with. arch.

1250.  Layamon, 22476. [He] wende aȝenest him anon [1205 toȝeines].

c. 1314.  Guy Warw., 28. Ogaines Sir Gii ther com Gaier.

1388.  Wyclif, Luke xiv. 31. If he may with ten thousynde go aȝens hym that cometh aȝens hym with twenti thousynde.

c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, XXI. 8561. But Troiell full tydely turnyt hom agaynes.

c. 1420.  Avow. Arth., xiv. (1842), 64. A-ȝaynus the fynde for to fare.

1483.  Invent. Cross, in Leg. Rood, 159. He wente in batayle ayenst them of perse.

1513.  Douglas, Æneis, VI. xv. 80. Quhidder so aganist him he went on fete, Or zit on horsbak.

1611.  Bible, Luke xiv. 31. Or what king going to make war against another king, sitteth not downe first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand, to meete him that commeth against him with twentie thousand?

  12.  Hence, gen. In hostility or active opposition to, with fight, speak, act, vote, contend, set, pit, be, etc.

a. 1154.  O. E. Chron., an. 1135. Aʓenes him risen sona þa rice men þe wæron swikes.

c. 1325.  E. E. Allit. Poems, B. 1711. Bot ay hatȝ hofen þy hert agaynes þe hyȝe dryȝtyn.

1340.  Hampole, Pr. Consc., 4144. Þat mykel dus ogayns Goddes lawe.

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, I. 573. That brwyss, that presumyt swa Aganys him to brawle or ryss.

1475.  Bk. Noblesse (1860), 8. To meove no werre ayenst no cristen man, but if he had grevously done ayenst him.

1533.  More (title), A Letter impugnynge the erronyouse wrytyng of John Fryth, against the blessed Sacrament of the Aultare.

1556.  Lauder, Tractate, 236. Speking aganis godds wourd of grace.

1611.  Bible, Gen. xvi. 12. His hand will be against euery man, and euery mans hand against him. Ibid., Ps. xxxv. 1. Fight against them that fight against me.

1663.  Butler, Hudibr., I. iii. 70. But what could single Valour do Against so numerous a Foe?

1679.  Dryden, etc., Satire, 85. First, let’s behold the merriest man alive Against his careless genius vainly strive.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., II. 205. The whole Cavalier gentry were against him. Ibid., II. 37. The members who had voted against the court were dismissed.

1877.  Lytteil, Landmarks, I. i. 18. The very men who made war against the pirates.

  b.  Hence, expressing the adverse bearing of many verbs and nouns of action; as to legislate, protest, argue, testify; offend, sin; cry out, rage, inveigh, exclaim: a law, proclamation, declaration, protest, argument, objection, resolution, action, proceeding, accusation, complaint, evidence; sin, offence; hostility, outcry, feeling, prejudice, rage, anger, animosity, bitterness, grudge, etc.

c. 1250.  Gen. & Exod., 2544. King amonaphis, Agenes ðis folc hatel is.

1580.  North, Plutarch (1676), 6. Then the wrath of the gods would cease against them.

1602.  Shaks., Haml., I. ii. 102. ’Tis a fault to heaven, A fault against the dead, a fault to nature.

1621.  Burton, Anat. Mel., II. ii. I. i. (1651), 252. Laurentius excepts against them.

1630.  Prynne, Anti-Armin., 143. The Pelagians … obiect against these Conclusions.

1689.  Selden, Table Talk (1847), 225. The Law against Witches does not prove there be any.

1756.  Burke, Vind. Nat. Soc., Wks. I. 34. Arguments against artificial society.

1766.  Goldsm., Vic. W. (1806), iv. 19. My lectures against pride.

1774.  Bryant, Mythol., II. 426. Complaint is made against the apostate Tribes.

1808.  Scott, Marm., II. vii. Charged ’gainst those who lay Prison’d in Cuthbert’s islet gray.

1820.  Keats, St. Agnes, x. Whose very dogs would execrations howl Against his lineage.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 218. The suffering … people raged fiercely against the government. Ibid., I. 265. Proceedings were instituted against the Corporation. Ibid., II. 82. The Commons … had protested against it. Ibid., II. 220. Legal evidence against him. Ibid., III. 13. One of the chief accusations … brought against Charles the Second. Ibid., III. 212. James had, in his speech … declared against the Act of Settlement.

1854.  Thackeray, Newcomes, I. xxi. 197. That common outcry against thankless children.

  c.  To be against: to be opposed, unfavorable; the opposite of for, in favor of.

1722.  Wollaston, Relig. Nat., v. (1738), 84. There are infinite chances against the happening of it, or odds that it will not happen.

1742.  Richardson, Pamela, III. 47. I am not against shewing to him all I write.

1818.  Hallam, Middle Ages (1841), I. 330. Experience … told more and more against the ordinary militia.

1850.  W. Irving, Goldsm., xiv. 174. His … awkward manners were against him.

1860.  Heavysege, Filippo, 114. Will it weigh The fors and the againsts in nicest scale?

  d.  In reference to competition: To run, compete, play a match, etc., against.

1833.  Brewster, Nat. Magic, x. 243. He drew against horses, and raised enormous weights.

1853.  Dickens, Mugby Junction, 27/2. When I was driving the Brighton express, I always felt like as if I was riding a race against time. Ibid. (1854), Hard Times (Tauchn.), 62. A population of babies who had been walking against time towards the infinite world.

  13.  In resistance to, in defence or protection from.

a. 1154.  O. E. Chron., an. 1137. Æuric rice man his castles makede and aʓænes him heolden.

c. 1230.  Ancren Riwle, 14. Of fleschliche vondunges & of gostliche … & kunfort aȝeines ham.

c. 1430.  Lydg., Chichevache, in Dodsl., O. P., XII. 386. Suche as can have no pacience, Ageyns yowre wyfes violence.

1477.  Earl Rivers (Caxton), Dictes, 9. Remedies ayenst sikenesse.

1561.  Hollybush, Hom. Apoth., 14 a. A confection to holde in the mouth agaynste hoorsenesse.

1578.  Scot. Poems of 16th C., II. 133. Send us support and comforting Agains our fais.

1592.  Shaks., Rom. & Jul., II. ii. 73. I am proof against their enmitie.

1600.  Hakluyt, Voy. (1810), III. 166. Against the colde they clothe themselves in beastes skinnes.

1667.  Milton, P. L., VIII. 531. Here only weak Against the charm of Beauty’s powerful glance.

1749.  Fielding, Tom Jones, I. ix. The gate would have been shut against her.

1765.  Tucker, Lt. of Nat., I. 507 (R.). To stop one’s ears against whatever can be said in opposition to them.

1766.  Goldsm., Vic. W. (1806), xxi. 128. Wisdom makes but a slow defence against trouble.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. v. 178. It had long protected the Celts against the aggressions of the kings of Wessex.

  b.  Hence, Of dangers feared: To caution, warn, etc., against.

1682.  Dryden, Medal, Ep. to Whigs. To preserve you against Monarchy.

1710.  Addison, Tatler, No. 240, ¶ 11. Pills which (as he told the Country People) were very good against an Earthquake.

1838.  Macaulay, in Trevelyan’s Life, II. vii. 9. On his guard against the sins which beset literary men.

1853.  Trench, Proverbs, 113. A proverb which warns against a bad book.

Mod.  Railway Notice.—‘Passengers are cautioned against crossing the line.’ Omnibus Notice.—‘The Public are cautioned against pickpockets.’

  V.  Of mutual opposition or relation.

  From the idea of bartering one thing against another, i.e., offering them on opposite sides, comes.

  14.  In exchange for, in return for; as an equivalent or set-off for; in lieu of, instead of. Now only lit.; formerly also fig.

1205.  Layamon, 8837. Aȝenes uuel ich wulle don god.

c. 1230.  Hali Meid., 7. Aȝaines an likinge habben twa of þunchunges.

c. 1300.  K. Alis., 6094. The kynges Losen ten ageyns on.

c. 1450.  Myrc, 55. Euere do gode a-ȝeynes euele.

1534.  trans. More’s On the Passion, Wks. 1557, 1306/2. That agaynste his great loue we be not founde vnkynde.

1833.  Ht. Martineau, Berkeley, I. iv. 74. When men used to exchange wheat against bullocks.

  15.  In the opposite scale; on the other side; as a counter-balance to.

1531.  Elyot, Governor, III. xxviii. (1557), 212. Beinge exactly wayed the one agaynst the other.

1592.  Shaks., Rom. & Jul., I. ii. 102. Let there be waid Your Ladies loue against some other Maid.

1722.  Wollaston, Relig. Nat., ii. 36. A little pain will weigh against a great deal of pleasure.

1828.  H. Glassford Bell, Queen Mary.

  b.  Hence, to set off against: to place an item in an account on the opposite side to a previous entry, so as to cancel or diminish the latter; also fig.

1844.  Disraeli, Coningsby, IX. vi. 337. An adequate set off against the odium that attached to their opinions.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xviii. Against the fall of Mons might well be set off the taking of Athlone.

  † 16.  fig. In comparison with; in contrast to. Obs.

c. 1300.  in Wright’s Lyric P., xxv. 68. Jesu … Al that may with eȝen se, Haveth no suetnesse aȝeynes the.

c. 1400.  Rom. Rose, 6877. Hir paroch prest nys but a beest Ayens me and my companye.

1481.  Caxton, Myrrour, II. xiii. 96. We be so lytil ayenst them.

1672–3.  Marvell, Rehears. Transp. (1675), II. 137. You distinguish the elder times against these.

  VI.  Of time.

  † 17.  Drawing towards, near the beginning of, close to. Obs.

c. 1320.  Sir Bevis, 1971. On a dai, agenes the eue.

c. 1385.  Chaucer, Leg. G. Wom., 1356. The white swan Agens his deth be-gynnyth for to synge.

c. 1440.  Morte Arth., 103. Agaynste day he felle on slepe.

1483.  Caxton, Gold. Leg., 397/3. The Sonday ageynst euen ther came a grete multytude of fendes.

1523.  Ld. Berners, Froissart, I. xviii. 20. And whan it was ageynst nyght, they came to the ryuer of Tyne.

1634.  Malory’s Arthur, I. cx. 200. It happened him, against a night, to come to a fair courtlage.

  18.  esp. with some idea of preparation: In view of; in anticipation of, in preparation for, in time for.

c. 1350.  St. Jerome’s 15 Tokens (1878), 92. Þat God wil Aȝeins domesdai.

c. 1425.  Seven Sages, 1488. How scho myght agayens nyght Fonden a tale al newe.

1577–87.  Harrison, Eng., I. II. v. (1877), 121. This furniture is to be provided against his installation.

1642.  Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., V. xviii. 431. The moist dropping of stone walls against rainy weather.

1659.  Burton, Diary (1828), IV. 349. To shorten the business against Thursday.

1697.  Locke, Lett. (1708), 194. Some additions to my book against the next edition.

1741.  Richardson, Pamela (1824), I. 131. If I chose to order any new clothes against my marriage.

1758.  Wesley, in Wks., 1872, II. 435. Having a Sermon to write against the Assizes at Bedford.

1832.  Ht. Martineau, Each & All, i. 14. Go to Covent Garden, to see the people dressing it up against sunrise.

1875.  Emerson, Lett. & Soc. Aims, viii. 194. When the Queen of Sheba came to visit Solomon, he had built, against her arrival, a palace.

Mod.  He has a few pounds put by against a ‘rainy day.’

  B.  conj. or conj. adv. In reference to time, AGAINST prep. 18 is also used relatively (explainable by ellipsis as, Against (the time) at which or that I come, Against I come). By the time that, before. Either of simple futurity, or futurity and contingency. † a. with relative. Obs.

1393.  Langl., P. Pl., C. XXII. 319. Aȝeynst þat þi greynes … bygynneþ to growe, Ordeyne þe an hous, peers · to herberghen in thi cornes.

  b.  simply. arch. or dial.

c. 1300.  in Wright’s Lyric P., iv. 23. His hap he deth ful harde on hete, aȝeynz he howeth heune.

1577.  St. Aug. Manuell, 33. Thou preparest a table diversly furnished against I come.

1602.  Shaks., Haml., I. i. 158. Euer ’gainst that Season comes.

1611.  Bible, 2 Kings xvi. 11. Vriiah the Priest made it, against [Wyclif, Coverd. til] king Ahaz came from Damascus.

1689.  Selden, Table Talk (1847), 5. Prepare a Child against he comes to be a Man.

1749.  Fielding, Tom Jones, I. iii. (1840), 3. To provide it pap … against it waked.

a. 1797.  H. Walpole, George II. (1847), II. iii. 79. In getting the Bill ready against it was necessary.

1837.  Dickens, Pickw. (1847), 223/1. Throw on another log of wood against father comes home.

1848.  Thackeray, Van. Fair, liv. (1866), 454. The publican shutting his shutters in the sunshine, against service commenced.

  C.  adv. rare. = AGAIN adv.

c. 1480.  Rob. the Devyll, 8. To the chirche … and home ayenst.

  D.  in comb. rare as a variant of AGAIN: as against-saying, against-standing.

a. 1564.  Becon, Christ & Antichr. (1844), 510. Without any resistance or against-saying.

c. 1440.  Gesta Rom., 9. He shuld lese his life, with oute ony ayenst-stondyng.