v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Gainstood; p. pr. & vb. n. gainstanding. ] [ See Again, and Stand. ] To withstand; to resist. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Durst . . . gainstand the force of so many enraged desires. Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. & i. [ See Again, and Strive. ] To strive or struggle against; to withstand. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Jacob saw the angels of God come against him. Tyndale. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. From an opposite direction so as to strike or come in contact with; in contact with; upon; as, hail beats against the roof. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The gate would have been shut against her. Fielding. [ 1913 Webster ]

An argument against the use of steam. Tyndale. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. By of before the time that; in preparation for; so as to be ready for the time when. [ Archaic or Dial. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Urijah the priest made it, against King Ahaz came from Damascus. 2 Kings xvi. 11. [ 1913 Webster ]

Against the sun, in a direction contrary to that in which the sun appears to move. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To withstand. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]