01 prep. Abreast; opposite to; facing; towards; as, against the mouth of a river; -- in this sense often preceded by over.
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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.
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2.
From an opposite direction so as to strike or come in contact with; in contact with; upon; as, hail beats against the roof.
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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.
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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.
Phrases & compounds
Against the sun —
in a direction contrary to that in which the sun appears to move.