| 释义 |
againadv.prep.conj. Forms: α. early Old English ongeagn, Old English angæn (rare), Old English angen (rare), Old English ondgegn (rare), Old English ongaegn (Northumbrian), Old English ongægn (Anglian), Old English ongeaegn (Northumbrian), Old English ongeaen (Northumbrian), Old English ongeane (rare), Old English ongegen (rare), Old English ongegn, Old English ongeon (rare), Old English–early Middle English angean, Old English–early Middle English ongæn, Old English (rare)–early Middle English ongan, Old English–early Middle English ongean, Old English–early Middle English ongen, early Middle English anȝean, early Middle English anȝen, early Middle English onȝæn, early Middle English ongeæn, early Middle English onȝean, early Middle English ongein, early Middle English onȝein, early Middle English onȝen, early Middle English ongeyn, early Middle English onnȝæn ( Ormulum), early Middle English onnȝænn ( Ormulum, perhaps transmission error), Middle English ongain (northern). β. Old English–early Middle English agean, Old English–1700s (1800s– regional) agen, late Old English–early Middle English agien, early Middle English aȝæien, early Middle English aȝæin, early Middle English agæn, early Middle English aȝæn, early Middle English agaynd, early Middle English aȝeain, early Middle English aȝean, early Middle English ageon, early Middle English aȝeon, early Middle English aȝien, early Middle English agon (Norfolk), early Middle English aiȝein, early Middle English aþein, early Middle English aþen, early Middle English awen, Middle English aeyn, Middle English aȝain, Middle English aȝaine, Middle English agan, Middle English aȝan, Middle English agane, Middle English aȝane, Middle English agayen, Middle English agayene, Middle English aȝayn, Middle English aȝayne, Middle English agaynn, Middle English agaynne, Middle English aȝeen, Middle English aȝeene, Middle English aȝein, Middle English aȝeine, Middle English aȝen, Middle English agene, Middle English aȝene, Middle English aȝenn, Middle English aȝenne, Middle English ageyen, Middle English ageyin, Middle English aȝeyn, Middle English aȝeyne, Middle English ageyng, Middle English ageynn, Middle English ageynne, Middle English aȝeynne, Middle English aghan, Middle English aghayne, Middle English aghene, Middle English aȝin, Middle English aȝyan, Middle English agyn, Middle English aȝyn, Middle English agyne, Middle English aien, Middle English ayain, Middle English ayaine, Middle English ayan, Middle English ayane, Middle English ayayn, Middle English ayayne, Middle English ayean, Middle English ayeen, Middle English ayeene, Middle English ayeien, Middle English ayein, Middle English ayeine, Middle English ayene, Middle English ayenn, Middle English ayenne, Middle English ayeyen, Middle English ayeyn, Middle English ayeyne, Middle English azayne, Middle English azeyn, Middle English ogain, Middle English oȝain, Middle English ogaine, Middle English oȝan, Middle English ogayn, Middle English oȝayn, Middle English ogayne, Middle English oȝayne, Middle English ogaynne, Middle English ogein, Middle English oȝein, Middle English oȝeine, Middle English oȝen, Middle English oȝeyn, Middle English ogeyne, Middle English–1500s ageyn, Middle English–1500s ageyne, Middle English–1500s ayen, Middle English–1600s agayn, Middle English–1600s agayne, Middle English–1600s agein, Middle English–1600s ageine, Middle English–1700s againe, Middle English– again, late Middle English aȝon (Norfolk), late Middle English ayend, late Middle English ayenie, 1500s againge, 1500s agayin, 1500s agayine, 1500s agayng, 1500s agaynge, 1500s akayne, 1500s–1600s againg, 1600s–1700s agin, 1700s ughin (nonstandard); English regional 1700s agan, 1700s agayn, 1700s agein, 1800s agane (northern), 1800s aghayn (Northumberland), 1800s aginn, 1800s– agaan (Yorkshire), 1800s– again', 1800s– agean, 1800s– ageann (Cumberland), 1800s– ageean (Yorkshire), 1800s– agen', 1800s– agin, 1800s– agin', 1800s– agyen (Northumberland), 1900s– agaen (Lancashire), 1900s– agien (Somerset), 1900s– agyne, 2000s– agenn; U.S. regional 1800s– agin, 1800s– ag'in, 1800s– agin', 1800s– ag'in', 1900s– againe; Scottish pre-1700 aagane, pre-1700 againe, pre-1700 againn, pre-1700 againne, pre-1700 agan, pre-1700 agayin, pre-1700 agayine, pre-1700 agayn, pre-1700 agaynne, pre-1700 ageane, pre-1700 agene, pre-1700 ageyn, pre-1700 ageyne, pre-1700 1700s agen, pre-1700 1700s– again, pre-1700 (1800s archaic) agayne, pre-1700 1800s agean, pre-1700 1800s– agane, 1800s ogayn, 1800s– again', 1800s– ageen (Shetland), 1800s– agein, 1800s– agin, 1900s– agenn (Shetland), 1900s– agin'; Irish English 1800s again', 1800s agin, 1800s agin', 1800s ag'in', 1800s agyne (Wexford); N.E.D. (1884) also records forms late Middle English ayhen, pre-1700 agone (Scottish). γ. Old English age (rare), Old English (rare)–early Middle English ongea, early Middle English ae, early Middle English æge, Middle English aȝa, Middle English agay, Middle English aȝe, Middle English aȝee, Middle English aȝeo, Middle English agey, Middle English aȝey, Middle English aȝy, Middle English aye, Middle English ayhe, Middle English oȝe. Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: Cognate with or formed similarly to Old Frisian a-jēn , Old Dutch angegin , angegen , anegeginne , Old Saxon angegin , Old High German angegini < the Germanic base of on- prefix + a Germanic base either identical to or related to that of gain adj. (compare gain- prefix). Compare also (with variation in the first element; compare and- prefix, in- prefix1) Old Dutch ingegen (Middle Dutch entiegen , entgain , integen , intiegen , Dutch (archaic) entegen ), Middle Low German engēgen , enjēgen , entēgen , entgēgen , Old High German ingagan , ingagani , ingegin (Middle High German engegen ; compare German entgegen ), and also (showing cognates of in prep.) Old Icelandic í gegn , Old Swedish i gen (Swedish igen ), Old Danish, Danish igen (compare i-gain adv. and prep.). Compare also to-gains prep.Form history. In Old English, early West Saxon ongeagn shows diphthongization of early Old English æ after preceding palatal g , while Anglian ongægn preserves the inherited vowel, although occasionally a form with a glide after the palatal is found in Northumbrian (ongeægn ). The form ongegn occurs chiefly in Mercian and texts influenced by that variety; it appears to show fronting of æ in these sources, but it has also been suggested that it represents the reflex of either a variant of the same Germanic base with suffix causing i-mutation or an ablaut variant (e -grade) of the same Germanic base. Loss of g before the following n and compensatory lengthening of the preceding vowel occur in all Old English dialects in this word (most regularly in West Saxon), resulting in West Saxon ongēan , Mercian and Kentish ongēn , Anglian ongǣn . In later West Saxon the diphthong is frequently monophthongized due to the influence of the preceding palatal (and perhaps also the following palatal before its loss), leading to later West Saxon ongēn beside ongēan . On the other hand, it seems that occasionally the stress within the diphthong of West Saxon ongēan shifted, yielding ongān , apparently continued by early Middle English ayān (also agōn ). There seems to be only one isolated attestation of the spelling ongān in Old English (although a form with long ā following a palatal might conceivably also be spelt ongeān ). Anglian ongǣn could also develop into Middle English ayān in some south-east midland varieties (see R. Jordan Handb. der mittelenglischen Grammatik (ed. 2, 1934) §§50, 78). The reduction of the first syllable in unstressed position to a- (see β. forms) affects all form types (compare discussion at a- prefix3) and is attested in the West Saxon form agēan from the mid 10th cent. The rare Old English form ondgegn (one isolated attestation) is more likely to show either a reverse spelling of ond (perhaps originally written with the Tironian note) for on (compare discussion at and conj.1, adv., and n.1) or the development of an epenthetic consonant, rather than to reflect a form with variation in the first element (compare and- prefix, and the continental Germanic forms cited above). In Middle English the main form types are: (i) (chiefly southern and south midland) ayēn (with long close ē ) < Old English ongēn , and also (with long open ē ) < Old English (Anglian) ongǣn and probably also < Old English (West Saxon) ongēan ; (ii) (chiefly southern and south-east midland) ayān (apparently < Old English ongān or ongǣn , see above); (iii) (chiefly southern and south midland) ayein , ayain ( < Old English forms preserving final -gn ); (iv) (chiefly northern, north midland, and East Anglian, before spreading further south in later Middle English; also Older Scots) again , agein , in which the plosive suggests either influence from early Scandinavian, or a blend with forms derived from early Scandinavian; (v) (chiefly northern; also Older Scots) agān , agāne , in which both the plosive and the stem vowel suggest the influence of early Scandinavian (compare Old Icelandic gagn- , prefix: see gain adj.). The modern pronunciation /əˈɡɛn/ probably shows (like /əˈɡeɪn/) a development ultimately from Middle English again , agein , with the short vowel in the second syllable probably developed largely by analogy with forms of against prep. showing shortening before the final consonant cluster. (On the evidence from 16th- and 17th-cent. orthoepists see E. J. Dobson Eng. Pronunc. 1500–1700 (ed. 2, 1968) II. §26.) Function. In Old English the word occurs as adverb and preposition (construed either with the dative or with the accusative), and also prefixed to other words or as a separable verbal particle (compare again- comb. form). Use as separable verbal particle can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from use as preposition or adverb, particularly so when the word occurs as preposition in postmodifying position. Use as postposition is especially frequent after personal pronouns and is still occasionally found in Middle English. Compare discussion at out- prefix, after adv., prep., and conj. Compare e.g.:OE Resignation A 60 Forstond þu mec ond gestyr him, þonne storm cyme minum gæste ongegn.OE Ælfric Catholic Homilies: 1st Ser. (Royal) (1997) iv. 207 Him urnon ongean weras & wif.OE Christ & Satan 300 Us ongean cumað þusend engla, gif þider moton, and þæt on eorðan ær gewyrcað.OE West Saxon Gospels: Luke (Corpus Cambr.) xiv. 31 Sit he ær & þencð hwæðer he mæge mid tyn þusendum cuman agen þone þe him agen cymð mid twentigum þusendum.OE West Saxon Gospels: Luke (Corpus Cambr.) xvii. 18 Næs gemett se ðe agen hwurfe [L. rediret], & Gode wuldor sealde, buton þes ælfremeda.a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1796 Esau him cam a-gen.a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3912 King..cam hem a-geon.In use as preposition, again varies, from the early Middle English period onwards, with the later formation agains , later against (see against prep., and compare -s suffix1). The form against was the one selected in the developing standard language of early modern English, with again (as preposition) becoming largely confined to regional and nonstandard use. Where it survives it is often perceived as a shortened form of against, as shown by spelling forms such as agin'. A. adv. I. Expressing reversal or reciprocation. 1. the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > [adverb] > in the opposite direction OE (1942) 137 He sceaf þa mid ðam scylde, þæt se sceaft tobærst, and þæt spere sprengde, þæt hit sprang ongean. OE cxxviii. 5 Confundantur et conuertantur retrorsum omnes qui oderunt Sion : syn gescænde & beon gehweorfed underbæc uel ongean ealle þa ðe hatodon sion. c1225 (?c1200) (1973) 1359 (MED) Ant ba binden ham swa þe fet ant te honden þet ha wrungen aȝein. ?a1300 (c1250) Prov. Hendyng (Digby) xliii, in (1881) 4 199 (MED) Drau þin hond wel sone aȝein, If men doþ þe ani ounfein. a1382 (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Ecclus. xiii. 13 Be thou not to gredi, lest thou be put aȝeen [1611 King James put back]. c1475 (?c1400) (1842) 105 (MED) Þe wif of Loth..loking aȝen, was turnid in to an image of salt. c1475 (?c1400) (1842) 105 (MED) No man leying hand to þe plowe and loking aȝen is able to þe kyndam of God. 1480 (Caxton) clxij. sig. k3 The walshmen..were so stronge that they driuen the englishmen ayene. 1678 J. Bunyan 5 Come then, Neighbour Pliable, let us turn again, and go home. View more context for this quotation society > travel > aspects of travel > return > [adverb] OE Ælfric (Royal) (1997) iv. 207 Gecyrde se apostol ongean mid miclum wurðmynte se ðe mid hospe to wræcsiðe asend wæs. OE (Claud.) xliii. 21 Þa fundon we þæt feoh þæron [sc. in the sacks], þe we ær sealdon; nu hæbbe we hit broht ongean [L. reportamus] be þam ylcan gewihte. OE (Tiber. B.i) anno 1052 Ða geaxedon þæt lið þæt on Sandwic læg embe Godwines fare, setton þa æfter, & he heom ætbærst..& þæt lið wende agen to Sandwic. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) 3406 Þeȝȝ wenndenn hemm onn ȝæn Wiþþ rihhte læfe o criste. a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris (1873) 2nd Ser. 91 (MED) Elhc cristene man makeð þis dai procession fro chirche to chirche and eft agen. a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 79 Ȝif þu mare spenest of þine, hwan ic aȝen cherre, al ic þe ȝelde. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 3267 Ðo quoðen he, ‘wende we a-gen, An israel folc lete we ben.’ c1330 (?c1300) (Auch.) l. 3207 Bi-leue þou here..Al what ich come now son oȝe. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 407 Fynde and see, And þanne torne home aȝe. ?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 40v Be war forsoþ..of þe nerue reuersiue i. turnyng agayne. 1513 T. More (1641) 17 But sith things passed cannot be called againe. 1514 ix. §1 The Breaker or Kember to deliver again..the same Wooll so broken and kembed. a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil (1959) vii. v. 4 Of peax and concord bodword brocht agane. 1611 Heb. xiii. 20 The God of peace, that brought againe from the dead our Lord Iesus. View more context for this quotation 1612 R. Johnson sig. Bvv London bells sweetly rung... Euermore sounding so, turne againe Whittington: For thou in time shalt grow, Lord Maior of London. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. iii. 1 Againe: and bring me word how 'tis with her. View more context for this quotation 1741 S. Richardson III. xxxvii. 363 Go and shut the Chamber-door, and come to me again. 1794 R. Burns Red, Red Rose ii, in P. Urbani 17 And I will come again, My Love, Tho 'twere ten thousand mile. 1846 C. Dickens (1848) iv. 32 Turn again Whittington, Lord Mayor of London, and when you are old you will never depart from it. 1851 Jan. 4/2 Yea rather when he was brought again from the dead. 1900 N. T. Whitaker 68 After which may be pronounced the following benediction:—Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, [etc.]. 1931 G. Wilson in (1931) I. 27/2 [Banffshire] ‘Ay, ay,’ said Jock, pu'in his watch oot o's hip pooch, ‘it's turnin' ower i' the nicht, I'll need t' be gaain again’ [i.e. returning home]. 1983 V. E. Neuburg 81/1 He was inspired by hearing Bow bells ring out a peal which seemed to say: Turn again Whittington, Lord Mayor of London. 2. the world > time > change > change to something else, transformation > change of direction, reversion > [adverb] OE Charter: Bp. Ealdred to Wulfgeat (Sawyer 1409) (transcript of lost MS) in A. J. Robertson (1956) 208 Ealdred biscop hæfþ geunnen Wulfgeate sumne dæl landes..to habbanne & to brucane ðreora manna dæg & æfter hyr dæge gange ðæt land eft agean to ðam..ðe ðonne bisceoprices wealde. lOE (Laud) (Peterborough interpolation) anno 777 Swa eac þet eafter his dæi scolde seo land ongean into þa mynstre. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 405 And he sal bringen man a-gen In parais to wunen and ben. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) 856 (MED) He..ouercom þis false kynges..& aȝen was in is kinedom mid grete honur ido. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 4256 (MED) Til þou..haue heled þe werwolf..& maked to man aȝe. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 119 Anon þey were i-cast vp aȝe. c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) §162 If the rightful man returne agayn from his rightwisnesse & werke wikkednesse, shal he lyue. ?a1475 (1922) 349 From deth to lyve I am resyn Ageyn. c1475 (?c1451) (Royal) (1860) 2 For relevyng and geting ayen the said Reaume. a1500 (Marchm.) (1877) I. 385 Fra deed to lyff agan. 1557 Earl of Surrey et al. sig. F.iiiiv Thou gaue her once: quod I, but by and by, Thou toke her ayen from me. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) ii. i. 116 Take them againe . View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) v. iii. 102 And would neuer Receiue the Ring again . View more context for this quotation a1658 J. Cleveland Obsequies in (1687) 216 Perhaps an Ignis fatuus now and then Starts up in holes, stinks and goes out agen. 1727 E. Young 3 Then Like April-Suns, dives into clouds agen. a1763 W. Shenstone (1764) I. 240 'Tis yours, ye fair, to bring those days agen. 1790 J. Wolcot ii. 9 Go, children, to your leading-strings agen. 1812 Ld. Byron i. vii. 6 Monks might deem their time was come agen. 1813 W. Scott ii. xxii. 88 Recall thine oath! and to her glen Poor Gyneth can return agen. a1854 H. Reed (1878) vi. 216 Bringing..the old books to light and life again. 1902 XXXIII. 233/2 If electric waves fall on this receiver its resistance increases about threefold, and falls again when the waves cease. 1992 21 Nov. 23/1 If the network crashes, it can take days to bring it up again. the world > action or operation > amending > restoration > [adverb] > of restoral or renewal c1432 ( G. Chaucer (BL Add. 22139) (1879) l. 7 Be heuy agayn or ellys mote .I. dey. a1447 H. Beaufort in H. Ellis (1824) 1st Ser. I. iv. 8 Lette seele the Cofir azeyn with a signet of myn. a1500 (?a1450) (Harl. 7333) (1879) 95 He is her[e] a-yene! a1500 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun (Nero) i. l. 705 In þar eylde agan þar hayr Worthis blak. 1597 Bp. J. King 362 Thorough Propontis, where the sea is patent againe, & hath his forth. 1624 F. Quarles (1717) 215 Confess to men, I was a Leper, but am clear agen. 1675 J. Beale Let. July in H. Oldenburg (1977) XI. 388 Milford haven was once famous for plenty of rich Wine.., and may be so again hereafter. 1712 R. Steele No. 492. §3 These careless pretty creatures are very Innocents again. 1755 M. Delany (1861) III. 328 I thank God all is tranquil again, after many fears and alarms. 1807 G. Crabbe Parish Reg. iii, in 116 And Robin never was himself again. 1843 A. Smith I. 8 Hurrah! there's the Clown! What a roar of laughter runs through the house as he..greets us with his old familiar—‘Here we are again! how are you?’ 1849 T. B. Macaulay II. 78 The principles of the treaty of Dover were again the principles of the foreign policy of England. 1919 27 Sept. 482 After the war-years,..the great ‘blacking-out’ to deceive enemy aircraft, London is herself again. 1989 G. Vanderhaeghe i. 9 He is young again, once more an ice-cutter laying up a store of ice for the summer. 3. the mind > attention and judgement > answer > [adverb] the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > [adverb] the world > relative properties > relationship > correlation > [adverb] > mutually or reciprocally the mind > possession > giving > giving back or restitution > [adverb] OE Ælfric (Julius) (1881) I. 104 Se cwellere..sende his gewrit to þam wælhreowan casere... Þa asende se casere þisne cwide ongean. OE (Tiber. B.i) anno 1055 Ær þær wære ænig spere gescoten, ær fleah ðæt englisce folc..& man sloh ðær mycel wæl—abutan feower hund manna oððe fife—& hig nænne agean. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) 2404 Ȝho ȝaff heh enngell gabriæl Anndswere onn ȝæn. c1225 (?c1200) (1973) 1325 (MED) We ne cunnen..warpen na word aȝein [Titus aȝain]. c1300 St. Edmund Rich (Harl.) l. 34 in C. D'Evelyn & A. J. Mill (1956) 493 Hi seide aȝe þat hi nemiȝte noȝt bi so lute beo. c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 144 And answere hym in his langage ageyn [c1415 Lansd. aȝeine; c1430 Cambr. Gg.4.27 a-geyn]. a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer (Hunterian) (1891) l. 183 Coueitise..eggith folk..To take and yeue right nought ageyne. a1500 (?a1450) (Harl. 7333) (1879) 245 [He] wedde[d] a yonge gentil damiselle to wyfe; and he lovid hir moche, and she hatid him ayene. 1535 Judges i. 7 As I haue done, so hath God rewarded me agayne. 1594 W. Shakespeare (new ed.) sig. Giiij Who would not whet his teeth at him againe. 1611 Luke vi. 35 Doe good and lend, hoping for nothing againe . View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. v. 133 I maruell why I answer'd not againe . View more context for this quotation 1662 in J. B. Heath (1869) 68 The which we doe faithfully promise shall be payd to you agayne. 1703 M. Martin 83 If he is spoke to when at Meat, he answers again, which is contrary to the Custom of his Order. 1741 S. Richardson III. xvi. 78 If he did not love me again, [he] would not have flung his Book at my Head. 1819 R. C. Dallas 37 Ye well aveng'd your Leader slain: With deadlier stroke Ye paid again The blow Ye wept to see. 1896 A. E. Housman x. 18 Lovers should be loved again. 1919 J. D. Bacon 314 ‘But I'm not bickering. It's Secunda being tiresome.’ ‘I'd rather you didn't answer me again, Prima.’ 1931 G. Wilson in (1931) I. 27/3 [Banffshire] I thinkna muckle o' wir new neepur; he's aye needin' something, bit he's nae vera obleegin' himsel'; len' an' len' again's my motto. OE [implied in: Aldhelm Glosses (Brussels 1650) in L. Goossens (1974) 437 [Ad illam archangeli vocem omni buccina clariorem totus simul] remugiet [mundus] : ongeanhlewþ [gloss in margin oncwyð, ongeanhlowð]. (at again-low vb. at again- comb. form 4)]. c1175 ( Ælfric Homily: St. Vincent's Day (Cambr. Ii.1.33) in S. Irvine (1993) 106 Man ledde to his breostum feower brade isene clutas swiðe ȝlowende þæt hit sanȝ ongean. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1978) l. 11949 Þe uolde dunede a-ȝen; aqueðen þa weolcne. 1561 1 Sam. iv. 5 All Israel shouted a mightie shoute, so that the earth rang againe. 1589 R. Hakluyt tr. C. Adams in ii. 282 The skie rang againe with the noyse thereof. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) v. iii. 55 I would applaud thee to the very Eccho, That should applaud againe . View more context for this quotation 1679 J. Brown II. 213 Even Caesars Court ringed againe with the noise of it. 1786 R. Burns 210 Till echoes a' resound again Her weel-sung praise. 1810 W. Scott ii. 70 Echoe his praise agen. 1837 C. Dickens 261 He laughed till the glasses in the sideboard rang again. 1876 J. S. Blackie 145 He..Made nave and choir to ring and sound again, So stoutly he protested. 1909 A. J. Lockhart 143 The dusky forest re-echoed again. the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [adverb] > with vigour or intensity of operation or effect > expressing response to intense action ?1533 W. Tyndale Prol. f. x They make the poore wemen wepe and howle agayne. c1590 (1844) 67 By my troth, I ran so fast that I sweat againe. 1600 W. Shakespeare iii. ii. 203 Wooing heere vntill I swet againe..I got a promise. View more context for this quotation 1623 P. Massinger i. i. sig. B1v Drinke hard; and let the health run through the City, Vntill it reele againe. 1710 S. Palmer 53 To open upon the cry till they are hoarse again. 1836 C. Dickens (1837) xiv The wind blowing..till every timber of the old house creaked again. 1837 C. Dickens xxv. 264 Rubbing away [with the towel], till his face shone again. 1857 W. Collins II. 72 She gallops and gallops till the horse reeks again. c1870 W. Collins 286 He struck his fist on the table so heavily that the wood cracked again. 1939 He..banged with his fist on the table till the coffee-cups clattered again. II. Expressing repetition or continuation in time. 4. the world > time > frequency > [adverb] > anew or again the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > two > fact of being second > [adverb] > for a second time, again OE (Claud.) iv. 7 Do þine hand on þinne bosum; þa he hi dide on his bosum... Þa cwæð he: Teoh eft [L. retrahe] þine hand on þinne bosm. Þa teah he hig ongean [L. retraxit] & brohte hi eft ut. a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 27 Hu derst þu mon þer on-ȝein underfon drihtenes [fleis]. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 1924 (MED) Leue we now þis lesson..to hem aȝeyn can i turne whan it time falles. 1402 in H. Maule (1874) II. 184 Quhil the corne be sawyn agayne. a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich xvi. l. 367 Thanne Ioseph Aȝen took þat schrewe..And bond him Aȝen in Alle Mennes Siht. 1526 John viii. 21 Then sayde Iesus agayne [c1384 Wycliffite, E.V. eft] vnto them. a1529 J. Skelton Howe Douty Duke of Albany in (1568) sig. F.iiiiv For ye be false echone False and false agayne. 1597 W. Shakespeare v. iii. 131 Speake it againe, Twice saying pardon doth not pardon twaine. View more context for this quotation 1603 W. Shakespeare i. ii. 187 I shall not looke vpon his like againe. 1628 G. Wither 164 I saw how Cities, Commonwealths, and men, Did rise and fall, and rise and fall agen. 1665 S. Pepys 31 Mar. (1972) VI. 71 My Lady Castlemayne is sick again—people think, slipping her filly. 1736 I. H. Browne ii. 12 Happy thrice, and thrice agen, Happiest he of happy Men. 1783 G. Crabbe i. 13 He hears and smiles, then thinks again and sighs. 1815 D. Humphreys iii. 58 They were done over agin, no longer than half an hour ago. 1849 T. B. Macaulay II. 137 He meditated the design of again confiscating and again portioning out the soil of half the island. 1895 Sept. 585/1 Because you have disappointed me, and I don't want to be disappointed again. 1935 Z. N. Hurston i. ix. 197 De Devil broke a anchor cable. Jack took it and broke it agin. 1958 A. Wilson iii. 409 It will only mean re-reading a great number of books that I shall be glad to read again. 2006 G. Mortenson & D. O. Relin (2007) v. 51 Often, he didn't eat again until dinner, when he'd fill up on a three-dollar burrito. 1828 I. xii. 245 ‘But what was it again?’ ‘O, don't you recollect?’ 1835 Aug. 230/1 You recollect what a funny thing he said—what was it again? I always forget witty speeches. 1853 C. Dickens lvii. 549 ‘You know Mr. Skimpole!’ said I. ‘What do you call him again?’ returned Mr. Bucket. 1944 Sept. 36 What was that, again? 1997 5 Aug. 1 (heading) Yes! Yes! Er—what was your name again? 2003 G. Burn (2004) i. 32 Gingko biloba for her memory (‘Now where did I put them again?’). 1820 May 160/1 Even take some o' the ripest, and greet about his gifts again, and get another; he was a leash lad and a leal. 1823 J. G. Lockhart I. ii. i. 199 This will learn ye, again, ye young ramshackle! 1904 ‘H. Foulis’ 17 The man o' the hoose puts the half o' his cigarette bye for again. 1931 G. Wilson in (1931) I. 27/2 [Banffshire] ‘I never saw a mids teen oot that wye afore.’ ‘Ah, weel, ye'll ken again.’ 1937 L. Jones xi. 187 ‘Not far, dad. I'll tell you all about it again.’ 1939 P. Gallagher 21 That old-fashioned caddy..will be telling again what you called me. 1950 I. Waters 9 ‘I'll do it again’, i.e. not now. 1994 D. Healy (1995) 153 He..stayed his hand momentarily, with a shiver of anticipation, over The Salmon of Knowledge , thinking, I'll leave that for again. 1995 G. Linehan & A. Mathews Entertaining Father Stone (TV script, penultimate draft) in (1999) 26/2 Ted:..This could be the most important thing you'll ever see. Stone: Yeah? Ted: Oh, yes. Stone: Right. Ted: So you'll go? Stone: No, I'm fine. I'll see it again. 2003 J. Robertson 90 ‘And did you find this someone you were looking for?’ ‘No, I—he's oot. I'll get him again.’ the world > time > relative time > the present (time) > [adverb] 1837 I. M. Belisario ‘Lovey’ On being asked if he were a married man, he replied, ‘Yes, Massa; but me wife no tay wid me again—him gone, so lef me.’ 1872 ‘M. Twain’ 250 ‘Yes, you see he's dead again—’ ‘Again? Why, has he ever been dead before?’ ‘Dead before? No! Do you reckon a man has got as many lives as a cat? But you bet you he's awful dead now, poor old boy.’ 1904 27 Aug. Anyhow ah en vex agen, but ah hope nex time dey will come. 1954 xxi. 19 ‘John is fifty and still a bachelor. Do you think he will ever marry?’ ‘No, not again.’.. ‘If he hasn't come by now, he certainly will not come again.’ 1973 12 Oct. 30 I used to play mouth organ; I don't play it again. 1985 K. Saro-Wiwa i. 14 I continue to dance but my dance not like dance again. 2002 H. Igboanusi 36 Who again will pay my fees now that my sponsor is dead? III. Expressing repetition in fact. 7. As another point or fact. 1517 R. Fox tr. sig. A.iiii Ageyne he saythe. He that ioyeth or seketh ony laude or glory, let him ioy in god. 1611 2 Sam. xvi. 19 And againe, whom should I serue? View more context for this quotation 1699 R. L'Estrange (ed. 3) i. li. 52 Those things that we know not what to do withal, and those things, again, which another cannot part with. 1702 J. Dunton 70 By Petticoat-Government, I mean when Good Women Ascend the Throne, and Rule according to Law... Again, by Petticoat-Government, I mean the discreet and housewifely Ruling of a House and Family. 1703 S. Patrick (ed. 2) ii. 10 And again it is a very affecting Sense, which raises passion sooner and quicker than any other. 1754 J. Edwards ii. x. 96 Again (if Language is of any Significancy at all) If Motives excite Volition, then they are the Cause of it's being excited. 1853 R. Wallace iii. v Again, because E is the centre of the circle CDG, EC is equal to EG. 1855 T. B. Macaulay III. xv. 499 What again is the legal effect of the words? 1896 A. H. Keane viii. 170 Again, what is to be made of the expression ‘Indo-Abyssinian’, or even ‘Abyssinian’ at all as an ethnical term. 1939 D. Thomas 2 Nov. (1987) 426 Again, I do not see how that is any worse. 2004 D. King vii. 86 Would they be prepared to do girl/girl? Most would say yes... Then he'd ask them if they'd be prepared to do boy/girl? Again, most would say yes. the world > relative properties > relationship > contrariety or contrast > [adverb] > on the contrary the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > putting forward for discussion > [adverb] > on the other hand ?1531 J. Frith i. sig. c3v He sayeth we haue an advocate: and sayeth agayne, for oure sinnes. 1574 J. Baret A 186 And he againe on the other parte etc. 1597 W. Shakespeare ii. ii. 113 Tother againe Is my kinsman. View more context for this quotation 1681 A. Radcliffe (ed. 2) Ep. Ded. sig. A2 I thought of some great Lord, or some Angelique Lady; but then again consider'd I should never be able to adorn my Dedication with benign Beams, [etc.]. 1738 W. Warburton I. Ded. p. xx Now they are a Set of superstitious Bigots; Blind Leaders of the Blind..: But now again, they are a Cabal of mere Politiques; Tartufes without Religion. 1741 S. Richardson IV. xiv. 87 But now again, see what succeeds to this. 1850 May 192 Here he talks of man as if he were the creature of circumstances, helplessly subject to material laws... But then again, our philosopher speaks of man as able to subdue all things to himself. 1921 J. Galsworthy i. v. 59 He might be ‘a good devil’, but then again he might not. 2007 June 50/1 Someone winning young..doesn't go down particularly well with some people... But again, if winning means putting a few noses out of joint, I don't mind. the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > two > multiplication by two > half as much again [phrase] 1523 J. Fitzherbert f. iiv It is worthe halfe as moche againe as the grasse was worthe. 1594 W. Shakespeare iv. iii. 6 Lent shall be as long againe as it was. 1665 in (P.R.O.: SP 29/110/29) f. 40 This will enable vs to spin & lay halfe as much again as now wee can. 1669 R. Boyle iii. 11 A good deal larger..if not as large agen. 1695 J. Dryden in tr. C. A. Du Fresnoy Pref. p. xliii A Theatre..as large and as deep again. 1711 A. Pope 7 Yet want as much again to manage it. 1774 O. Goldsmith V. 199 The grous is about half as large again as a partridge. 1817 Carlop Green in R. Brown 119 Wi' his stiff shank..As thick again 's his soople prop. 1878 T. H. Huxley (ed. 2) 84 About half as heavy again as an equal bulk of atmospheric air. 1883 R. L. Stevenson xix. 156 The rest had..increased the pile of firewood by about half as much again. 1932 23 Nov. 562/2 I shall probably have paid at least as much again in call charges. 1961 J. L. Cloudsley-Thompson & J. Sankey iv. 58 Antennae with last peduncular segment..one-forth or less as long again as the flagellum. 1999 S. Heaney tr. (2000) 51 Fifteen of Hrothgar's house-guards..ruthlessly devoured, and as many again carried away. 2005 C. Tudge xiii. 327 Brazil nut trees..are emergent species, half as tall again as most canopy trees. the world > space > place > here, there, etc. > [adverb] > elsewhere 1555 W. Waterman tr. J. Boemus ii. x. 209 Horses and mares, in suche plentie, as I beleue no parte of the earth hath againe. a1626 F. Bacon Notes Speech War with Spain in (1826) V. 234 There is not, in the world again, such a spring and seminary of brave military people as in England, Scotland, and Ireland. 1794 J. Bell 116 The Extensor Secundus is next to that; and the Extensor Tertius..is next to that again. 1893 W. J. Lucas iv. 170 The nervure next to it a long black tail, and the next one again a short one. 1904 Oct. 473/1 He leaped over to the nearest again and smothered that also. 1992 D. Madden ii. 13 They lived in an apartment above the shop, and I lived in an apartment above that again. 1996 S. Moylan i. 15 There were Keeffes there again (i.e. another Keeffe family). the mind > language > statement > insistence or persistence > [adverb] > strengthening or emphasizing comparative 1735 33 He refers to one Prophecy no where to be met with—to others which have no Relation to his Subject—Others again, he quotes as Prophecies, which appear to be mere Diction, or proverbial Speech. 1799 I. Weld xxxiv. 359 Besides the presents, such as I have described, others of a different nature again, namely, provisions, were dealt out this year amongst certain tribes of the Indians. 1828 C. Hodge in July 348 Some to absolute idealism, others to scepticism, others again to a new species of Spinosism. 1874 43rd Congr., 1st Sess. 26 The third is shorter again, by four miles, than the second. 1899 7 287 A third lot of ore, practically like the other two, is on a different bed-joint again. 1913 J. W. Jenkinson iii. 34 They may be very separated very early..or rather later,..or later again from the hinder end of the mesoderm. 1932 P. G. Wodehouse xi. 181 When it comes to you horning into this joint and aiming to gum the works for me..well, that's something else again. 1966 N. Gordimer 47 But the kind of life they'll live, the way they'll live among other people—that's another thing again. 2003 2 Aug. 36/1 But in almost every other way acorn worms are different again from their fellow deuterostomes. B. prep. Now regional and nonstandard, esp. in forms agen, agin, agin', etc. (see note in etymology). In Old English with accusative or dative. I. Expressing position or motion towards or facing something. 1. the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement towards a thing, person, or position > towards [preposition] eOE (Parker) anno 893 Þa hie gefengon micle herehyð & þa woldon ferian norþweardes ofer Temese in on Eastseaxe ongean þa scipu. OE (Corpus Cambr.) xv. 20 His fæder..agen hine arn & hine beclypte & cyste hine. a1200 (?c1175) Poema Morale (Trin. Cambr.) l. 351 in R. Morris (1873) 2nd Ser. 230 (MED) [Þ]os goð uneaðe aȝien [v.r. toȝeanes] þe cliue and aȝien [v.r. aȝean] þe heie hulle. a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 5 God..sende his apostles oȝein þene castel. c1300 (Harl.) (1844) 2 (MED) Aȝe me, er ich come ther, threo journeyes he wende. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 1438 Eliezer him cam a-gon. c1380 (1879) l. 3624 And prykeþ ys stede & forþ he nam Agayn þe hulle an heȝe. c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 293 This Sowdan..preyde hir for to ryde agayn the queene. c1450 (c1400) (1908) l. 1016 A-ȝeyn hym come þat lady gent, Walkynge on her fote. a1500 (?a1400) (1903) l. 709 They Ranne as swithe as euyr they might Oute at the gates hym Agayne. ?a1600 ( R. Sempill Legend Bischop St. Androis in J. Cranstoun (1891) I. xlv. 370 To send new support againe him. 1892 J. Brennan 163 We'll steer you agin' the craim de la craim, thiggin thu? 1982 B. G. Charles 7 To come or go agen = to meet. 1996 S. Moylan i. 15 I seen this thing comin' again me in the hollow o' the road. the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous act or expression > [preposition] > in welcome of eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory (Hatton) (1871) lii. 407 Ðone greadan his arfæstnesse & his frofre he gebræt ongean ða ðe to him gecierrað. OE Ælfric (Royal) (1997) iv. 215 Geopena ongean me lifes geat, þæt ðæra ðeostra ealdras me ne gemeton. c1300 (Laud) (1868) 1106 (MED) Belles dede he ageyn hire ringen. ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Petyt) ii. 118 (MED) Þat ilke tyme..Mald..þe castelle of Arondelle open ageyn hir fond. (Harl. 221) 435 Rysyn aȝen a persoun to don hym worschyppe, assurgo. 2. the world > space > relative position > opposite position > opposite [preposition] OE (Claud.) xxxii. 49 Astih to me on ðisne munt Abarim, se is on Nebo dune, on ðam lande Moab ongean Iericho [L. contra Hiericho]. OE (Corpus Cambr.) xix. 30 Faraþ on þæt castel þe ongen inc [c1200 Hatton ongean inc; L. contra vos] ys. a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 3 Þane castel þet is onȝein eou. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) 148 (MED) Aien france stont..cicestre, Norwich aien denemarch, chestre aȝen irlonde, Duram aȝen norþwey. 1386 in D. Macpherson et al. (1819) II. 85/2 The Est March of Ingland agayne Scotland. a1425 (a1400) (Galba & Harl.) (1863) l. 6366 (MED) Þe son sal þan in þe este stande..And þe mone ogayne it in þe weste. c1450 (c1386) G. Chaucer (Fairf. 16) (1879) Prol. l. 48 To seen this floure ayein the sonne sprede. a1500 (?a1450) (Harl. 7333) (1879) 251 The suster satt a-yene him in a certen daye at mete. 1823 E. Moor 5 A live over agin the stile. a1825 R. Forby (1830) (at cited word) ‘She stood again the door.’.. If [she stood] facing it, at some little distance, [it would be more correct to say] ‘over again’. 1843 ‘J. Slick’ (ed. 2) 119 When I got agin the house, I took a squint up to the winders. 1886 R. E. G. Cole Push (pronounced short, as Rush), a pool or puddle. The watter all stood in pushes. We'd such a push of watter agen our door, we had to let it off. 1911 7 Jan. 44 She was running away, and, anyhow, never no nearer the drattid thing than the side of the pivement over agin the Lud's Ed public. 2010 R. F. McClure xviii. 87 I spotted a couple of dead oaks over agin the mountain side. a1825 R. Forby (1830) (at cited word) ‘She stood again the door.’ If she stood very near the door, it would be more correct to say ‘close again’, or ‘right again’. 1841 C. H. Hartshorne 303 Shut 'em agen the backside o' the house. a1864 J. Clare (1984) II. 752 And will thou gang to see The shed made for thee..T'is agen the run[n]ing brook. 1924 J. H. Wilkinson 60 Again, Ageean, or Agaan, near. ‘He lives agaan, or ageean, t' poast office.’ 1948 M. Carbery & E. Grey 55 Agin, agen.., against, near to: ‘Th' rake's agin th' 'ay-rick’. 1993 S. Stewart iv. 28 We carried the tar from the gasworks agen Manchester to the chemical gas tanks at..Oldbury. the world > relative properties > relationship > relation [preposition] > respecting or concerning OE 165 He ongan lifgean ongean God, ærþon þe he him sylfum lifgean mihte. c1175 ( in A. O. Belfour (1909) 40 He beo ifylled mid þare godcunden lufe onȝean his nyxtæn [OE Vercelli he sie gefylled mid þære godcundan lufan & his nehstan]. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) 4426 Þe feorþe bodeword wass sett..Þatt tu beo milde & meoc onn ȝæn Þin faderr & tin moderr. c1300 (Harl. 2277) (1845) l. 2012 (MED) That thu wende to his sone..And amende aȝen him that thu hast his fader ido amis. 1340 (1866) 114 Ne is hit naȝt grat þing ne grat ofseruinge aye god. a1500 (?a1400) (1903) l. 1683 A-geyne the kynge tra[y]tor is he. 1534 R. Whittington tr. Cicero i. sig. F.5 Howe we shulde behaue our selfe agayne other men. 1887 F. T. Havergal 44 He's reckoned a pretty good un up agin a clock. I dunna know what a' might be agin a waatch. 4. eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory (Hatton) (1871) xxxvii. 271 Se hearda stan, se ðe aðamans hatte.., gif his mon onhrinð mid buccan blode, he hnescað ongean ðæt liðe blod. OE Byrhtferð (Ashm.) (1995) iii. iii. 178 Þys hiw ealde uðwitan gesettan agen þam þingum þe Zenodotus..unwræstlice gesette. c1300 St. Francis (Laud) 435 in C. Horstmann (1887) 66 (MED) His lene bones he wolde drawe aȝein þe harde grounde. c1450 (Sloane 2464) l. 1913 (MED) Wyn of the grape which growith evene vpright, Ageyn hillys..Is moore drye. 1820 June 715/2 An' then I've leant agin the wa', Oe'rcome wi wae an' pain. 1845 G. W. M. Reynolds I. lxv. 203/1 Put a cross agin my name in his book. a1864 J. Clare (1984) II. 189 While leans the maid agen the rails. 1889 Ld. Tennyson 34 Sa I runs to the yard fur a lether, an' sets 'im agean the wall. 1907 ‘A. Hilliers’ v. 56 And I a ten years man with ne'er a mark agin my name! 1930 Mar. 39/2 He was standin' agin the rail. 1986 T. Murphy i. 21 With his old jiggler of a bicycle set again' the gable. 1993 S. Stewart iv. 32 This measurin chap would have this dipstick... He'd stick it in the water agen the sides of the boat. the world > movement > impact > impinge [preposition] c1225 (?c1200) (Bodl.) l. 680 (MED) Hit..smat up aȝein þeo þe iȝarket hit hefden & forschaldede..seoue siðe tene. c1300 (Laud) (1868) 568 Hise croune he þer crakede Ageyn a gret stone. c1380 (1879) 2850 (MED) Wiþ ys fuste harde, a gerte Gyoun agayn þe teþ. c1380 (1879) 2569 (MED) Olyuer tok vp ternagan & casten aȝe þe wal. c1450 (c1380) G. Chaucer (Fairf. 16) (1878) l. 1035 Betynge of the see..ayen the roches holowe. c1475 (?c1400) J. Wyclif (1871) III. 436 It is to hard to kyke aȝen þe spore. a1593 C. Marlowe (1594) sig. E1v Libels are cast againe thee in the streete. 1645 7 Some of the Bookes..had beene hurried about the roome, clashing out againe another. 1658 J. Mennes & J. Smith 169 He..beat his heeles agen the ground whereon he lay. 1797 J. Beattie (new ed.) 4 He came again him.—Against him.—Vulgar Eng. 1805 J. Ordway Jrnl. 1 Aug. in (1995) IX. 193 The canoe was near turning over nocking again the rocks. 1872 J. Hartley 1st Ser. 81 He's fit to pail his heead agean th' jaumstooan. 1894 S. R. Crockett ii. 10 Lift me up, Paitrick.., till I see again the bonny tide as it lappers again' the auld toor. 1913 C. Johnson viii. 183 Unless you butt right into the cross current you're carried over agin' the Jersey shore. 1931 in I. (at cited word) Ye wad ha'e been frichtit too, if ye had heard..his heid gaun crunt again' the wa' an' his cluits prancin' again't. 1996 W. W. Johnstone 79 May have been an owl beatin' agin the winder. II. Expressing opposition towards another. society > armed hostility > with hostile intent towards [preposition] the mind > emotion > hatred > hostility > with hostile intent [preposition] > towards with hostile intent OE (Corpus Cambr.) xiv. 31 Oððe gyf hwylc cynincg wyle faran & feohtan agen oðerne cyning, hu ne sit he ær & þencð hwæðer he mæge mid tyn þusendum cuman agen þone þe him agen cymð mid twentigum þusendum. c1300 St. James Great (Harl.) l. 30 in F. J. Furnivall (1862) 58 Aȝen þe deuel he com adoun: & bad þe schrewe abide. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 3912 King..seon, For to figten cam hem a-geon. c1400 (c1378) W. Langland (Laud 581) (1869) B. xix. l. 356 To gone agayne pryde. c1425 (c1300) (Harl.) 451 (MED) He huld wyþ þe emperesse..And ladde ost gret ynou aȝe þe kyng and hys. c1540 (?a1400) (2002) f. 113 The prinse hym persayuit & preset hym agayn. 1664 viii. 75 Who manfully march'd them again. 1775 J. Trumbull 23 To each of whom, to send again ye Old Guy of Warwick were a ninny. 6. the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > in opposition to [preposition] OE (Corpus Cambr.) ix. 40 Se þe nis agen [OE Cambr. Univ. Libr. ongen, OE Lindisf. wið; L. adversum] eow se is for eow. OE (Tiber. B.i) anno 1012 Wearð þa se here swyðe astyred angean þone bisceop. OE Ælfric Homily: De Populo Israhel (Hatton 115) in J. C. Pope (1968) II. 655 We habbað gesyngod þæt we swa spræcon ongean þone ælmihtigan god and ongean þe [L. locuti sumus contra Dominum et te]. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 1843 He shollde fihhtenn. Onn ȝæn an drake. & cwellenn himm. c1300 (Harl. 2277) (1845) l. 1454 (MED) Betere hit were..to ende bringe, Than contek holde..ae [c1300 Laud aȝen] the Kinge. c1390 (a1376) W. Langland (Vernon) (1867) A. xi. l. 65 (MED) Nou is vche Boye Bold..to..Craken aȝeyn þe Clergie. a1425 (a1400) (Galba & Harl.) (1863) l. 4142 Anticrist es..Als he þat es ogayn Crist ay. c1450 ABC of Aristotle (Lamb. 853) in (2002) i. 11 Argue not aȝen þat. a1500 (?c1450) iii. 55 Ye shull fight a-geyn yowre enmyes. 1521 Bp. J. Fisher 311 The sermon of Iohan the bysshop of Rochester made agayn the pernicyous doctryn of Martin luuther. a1557 J. Cheke tr. (1843) xxi. 12 Yei murmured again ye good man of ye house. 1608 T. Middleton sig. D2v Goe and suborne my knaue againe me here. 1639 in G. Lorimer (1915) 12 Thai answerit that thai had nae compts to plein agin them but thankit God for thair lyf and conversation. 1744 Rec. Shoemakers Incorporation in (1924) 44 Deacon James Heartley complained again Robert Morison. 1793 M. Pilkington IV. ii. 12 A damnabel conspirashon lade in Wailes agen the hair of your nobell famillie. 1841 C. J. Lever iii ‘Have ye a great spite agin him?’ ‘I have,’ said I fiercely. 1852 C. W. Hoskyns xix. 166 I should like to hear from your own lips what you've got to say agin' it. 1919 G. B. Shaw O'Flaherty V.C. in 186 Ochone! ochone! my son's turned agen me. Oh whatll I do at all at all? 1920 J. Galsworthy ii. xii. 221 Possession, vested rights; and anyone ‘agin’ 'em—outcast! ‘Thank Heaven!’ he thought, ‘I always felt “agin” 'em, anyway!’ 1977 T. Murphy ii. 29 And when the tithe war was fought again' the Protestants..there was little talk from ye about spilling blood! society > society and the community > dissent > competition or rivalry > in competition with [preposition] c1430 (c1395) G. Chaucer (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1879) Prol. l. 72 I ne haue nat vndyr-take As of the lef a-gayn the flour to make Ne of the flour to make a-geyn the lef No more than of the corn a-gen the shef. 1767 ‘Coriat Junior’ I. 368 Six to four ughin your lordship, and I say done first. 1841 1 101/1 A pound to a hay-seed agin' the bay. 1843 ‘R. Carlton’ I. xxvii. 254 I'll bet old Nan—(his rifle)—again two-shot gun! 1852 C. W. Hoskyns xix. 166 I'll back Common Sense agin' Chemistry any day. 1895 S. MacManus (ed. 3) 151 Whistlin' jigs agane the larks. 1903 I. K. Friedman 298 An' Sam he tried ter put up de good pints ef de Chinee kid agin de good pints ef de monkey, fer ter show de Dago what a fine trade it was. 1987 W. W. Johnstone 55 Monte Carson is gonna be elected the sherrif. Ain't no one runnin' agin him. 1816 W. Scott I. xv. 316 I'm no again your looking at the outside of a letter neither. 1841 C. H. Hartshorne 303 I'm totally agen it. 1845 XII. 624 They biggit a' that Camp o' the Hillhead, for the country was mensely agen them. 1865 G. MacDonald 51 I ken naething agen the laddie. 1878 W. S. Gilbert ii. 26 I'm unpleasant to look at, and my name's agin me. 1908 W. Churchill vii. 88 ‘I ain't got anything again' 'em,’ Mr. Ball agreed quickly. ‘I guess they know what they're about.’ 1924 J. H. Wilkinson 174 He reap't up ivverything he knew ageean meh..for ten year back, the scamp. 1999 S. Pickering 150 ‘Do you love the Lord?’.. ‘I ain't got nothing agin him.’ the world > relative properties > order > disorder > disharmony or incongruity > contrary to or at variance with [preposition] OE Restoration of Sandwich to Christ Church (Sawyer 1467) in A. J. Robertson (1956) 174 Her kyþ on þison gewrite þæt Harold king let beridan Sandwic of Cristes cyrcean him sylfan to handa & hæfde hit him wel neh twelf monað..eall ongean Godes willan & agen ealra þara halgena þe restað innon Cristes cyrcean. lOE (Laud) anno 1103 He ongean riht nolde his hades onfon æt þam arcebiscope Girarde. ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 150 Anlaðest god & Mest aȝein his grace. c1300 St. Christopher (Harl.) l. 155 in F. J. Furnivall (1862) 63 He makede hem al aȝen hire wille, his honden faste bynde. c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 1593 It is agayn his kynde. ?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden (Harl. 2261) (1865) I. 131 (MED) When Egipte is plentuous of corne, hit is bareyne in pastures, ageyne the nature of other regiones. 1523 J. Fitzherbert iv. f. 4 It were agayne reason to a bridge a man of his owne right. 1596 tr. L. Lavater (new ed.) ii. vii. 128 Licence to doo these things..againe [1572 against] his owne expresse commaundement. 1864 J. Ramsbottom 49 They'll own it gwos agen their will. 1876 I. Banks I. i. 15 Aw connot tak' money fur savin' a choilt's life. It's agen' mi conscience. 1903 I. K. Friedman 134 It was guv meh agin meh will. 1920 21 July 53/1 To compel the poor thing [sc. the motor car] to crawl is ‘agin natur'’. 1963 17 Jan. 120/2 The real breeder, the chap with green fingers for dealing with living things, knows that artificial insemination is ‘agin nature’. 2000 G. W. Crosby 16 It smacks of entrapment, and that's agin' the law. the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > in opposition to [preposition] > in resistance to OE Ælfric (Royal) (1997) xvii. 315 He flihð for ðan ðe he is hyra.., ne mæg se standan ongean fræcednyssa þæra sceapa. OE tr. Pseudo-Apuleius (Vitell.) (1984) cliii. 196 Se sylfa drenc eac swylce ongean næddrena slite wel fremað [L. adversus morsus serpentium prodest]. ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 41 Þe blake clað..is þickere aȝein þe wind. a1250 (?a1200) (Nero) (1952) 88 Þesne hweolp [sc. impacience] fet hwose nis nout þolemod aȝean alle wowes & in alle vueles. 1392 in W. Fraser (1874) II. 48 The saydis William and Issabel..agayne al dedlyke sal warande and defend. a1425 (a1400) (Galba & Harl.) (1863) l. 7964 Na thyng salle mow ogayne þam stand. ?a1430 T. Hoccleve Mother of God l. 111 in (1970) i. 55 We mowen make resistence Ageyn the feend. 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour (St. John's Cambr.) iv. 186 Neyll the bruce held Kyndrummy Agane [1489 Adv. Agayne] his sone. 1489–90 (Electronic ed.) Parl. Jan. 1489 §48. m. 15 The defence of this land ageyn oure ennemyes outwarde. c1500 (?a1437) (1939) xxix Agane distress confort to seke. 1556 in J. G. Nichols (1852) 87 Wyett..made a bulwarke at the bryge fotte..and dyd no harme there..for the brygge drawebrygge was drawne agayne hym. 1831 10 Dec. 787/3 Hav you seen Ubbard's new guns like wauking sticks—there a cappital defence agin cappital offences; as you may ether stick a feller or Shute him; or boath togethir. 1863 W. Barnes 3rd Ser. 68 Why there Almighty ceäre mid cast A better screen ageän the blast. 1886 ‘C. E. Craddock’ xvi. 221 Them folks will know some day ez store clothes ain't no defense agin fire. 1915 F. Rolt-Wheeler iv. 102 Ye couldn't stand up agin it. 1924 J. H. Wilkinson 60 Ah'd like to wahrn (warn) thi agaan 'evvin owt to dew wi' that chap. 1994 R. Compton 9 They're good protection agin them damn Comanches. eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory (Hatton) (1871) lvi. 433 Ðonne cymð he orsorglice to lande, hwilum ðeah ongean wind & ongean ða yða. OE Bounds (Sawyer 755) in D. Hooke (1994) 37 Ærest up of Worðalaw andlang riðe agean stream to Hryteselt, þonne suð andlang riðe to Crouswrah. c1230 (?a1200) (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 58 Ȝe as ȝe wulleð waxen & nawt wenden hindward, sikerliche ȝe moten rowen aȝein stream wið muchel swinc breoken forð. c1330 in R. H. Robbins (1959) 141 (MED) Who-so roweþ aȝein þe flod, Off sorwe he shal drinke. 1531 T. Elyot sig. H.viv Lept into the riuer of Rone, whiche is wonderfull swyft, and swymmynge agayne the streme, came to his company. 1581 R. Mulcaster xiv. 63 But to make one weepe, is stil againe the haire. 1827 W. Scott Introd. iii He was a wee toustie when you rubbed him again the hair. 1864 J. Ramsbottom 20 Sich prattlin o' went agen th' grain. 1935 B. S. Aldrich ix. 60 They say champagne flowed upstream agin the current from St. Louis. 2006 T. Lander 40 Watching the tides of history flow agin us. III. In relation to time. the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > in preparation for the time that [conjunction] the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > in preparation for or anticipation of [preposition] the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > antecedence [preposition] > in anticipation of OE (Claud.) xliii. 25 Soþlice hi ledon forð heora lac ongean þæt [L. donec] Iosep in eode. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 6128 All þe birrþ bitæchenn itt. Þe preost o godess hallfe. Onn ȝæn þatt he shall shrifenn þe. c1275 (?c1250) (Calig.) (1935) l. 499 (MED) Aȝen þet þu wlt teme, Þu art wel modi and wel breme. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 562 Ðat arche was a feteles good, Set and limed a-gen ðe flood. c1380 (1879) 1496 (MED) Þys messagers agayn þe morwe a-rayd hem for hure message. a1425 (a1400) (Galba & Harl.) (1863) l. 4042 (MED) Þir takens..tald he Þat ogayn þe worldes ende shuld be. c1450 (a1400) (Calig.) (1965) l. 526 Ageyn þe euyn þe kyng gart dyȝt A bath for þe gentyll knyȝt. 1473–4 in T. Dickson (1877) I. 115 Again the Kingis passing to Duchale. c1540 J. Bellenden in tr. H. Boece i. xv. sig. C.vv Ilk man prouidis for sa mekle fische in ye symer as may sustene his hous agane the wynter. 1645 J. Milton 70 Yet did he not omitt to sow within them the seeds of a sufficient determining, agen the time that his promis'd spirit should bring all things to their memory. 1729 J. Steuart (1915) 331 Try if can persuad him to pay the bills due me by Glengarry again Michalmass. 1774 T. Shipboy Let. 9 Nov. in K. Miller et al. (2003) 334 If things dow Not offer to my mind again the Spring I Intend to try Some other part of the worald. 1838 Rural Hill (N. Carolina) Plant Rec. in N. E. Eliason (1956) 258 4 bsls. of wheet at $1.00. If paid again Christmas if not $1.25. 1887 F. T. Havergal 5 He'll come agin Christmas. 1907 G. B. Shaw Major Barbara ii. in 241 I ad two quid saved agen the frost; an Ive a pahnd of it left. 1937 S. MacManus 146 And had left spread in their castle, again their return, a feast for ten thousand people. 1996 S. Moylan i. 15 I was right knackered..again evenin'. the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > future [preposition] > towards or near lOE (Laud) anno 1096 Fela hreowlice & hungerbitene ongean winter ham tugon. c1300 St. Thomas Becket (Laud) l. 1081 in C. Horstmann (1887) 137 (MED) He let maken is bed aȝen niȝt Op In þe heie churche. c1300 St. Edmund Rich (Harl.) l. 15 in C. D'Evelyn & A. J. Mill (1956) 493 Aȝen eue he cudde furst his lyf. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) i. l. 930 Ayein the day he him withdrowh. a1400 (Laud) (1932) l. 157 Þe prelates, aȝen þe paske tyme, Alle þei hadde hym in hate. a1500 (?a1400) (1887) l. 1840 The wynd Rose ayen the nyght. IV. Expressing mutual opposition. the world > time > change > exchange > substitution > in place of [preposition] > in exchange for OE Dispute between Wynflæd & Leofwine (Sawyer 1454) in A. J. Robertson (1956) 136 Ælfric sealde Wynflæde þæt land æt Hacceburnan & æt Bradanfelda ongean þæt land æt Deccet. OE tr. Vindicta Salvatoris (Cambr. Univ. Libr.) in J. E. Cross (1996) 271 Hig of þam Iudeum..for anum penige xxx gesealdon ongean þæt, ðæt þa Iudeas ær urne hælend æt Iudas..myd þryttegum penegum gebohton. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 11143 Ta þatt sinndenn fullhtnedd. Himm sinndenn cweme onn ȝæn ðatt teȝȝ. Himm wærenn ær unncweme. a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 31 (MED) Þene preost he mot isechen þe hine acursede, þet he hine iblecie onȝein þet he hine acursede. c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Otho) (1963) l. 4407 Aȝein his vuel ich wole do god. a1400 (Laud) (1932) l. 1055 Graunte hym þy grace aȝen his goode dede. c1400 (c1378) W. Langland (Laud 581) (1869) B. v. l. 437 I am vnkynde aȝein his curteisye. a1425 (?1348) R. Rolle Form of Living (Arun.) in C. Horstmann (1895) I. 414 It [sc. confession] sal als be bitter, agayn þat þe thought þe synne swete. a1456 (a1426) J. Lydgate (1934) ii. 677 Ageyne oon worde, alweys he hade tweyne. 1877 E. Peacock at Agean I sattled his bill, an' he gev' me three an' six agëan a sovereign. a1941 in (1985) I. 19/2 Like somebody pickin' up a snake agin a worm. 1995 J. M. Sims-Kimbrey 5/1 'E gimma fivepun ageãn a fiver. C. conj. Now regional. the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > antecedence [conjunction] > before a1350 in R. H. Robbins (1959) 8 Aȝeyn þis cachereles comeþ þus y mot care. c1440 (?a1400) (1930) l. 192 (MED) Wolde scho noȝte with hir bere Bot a lyttill Scottes spere, Agayne hir son ȝode. ?a1475 (1922) 371 Mak redy, ageyn we com to this demon. 1481 R. Cely Let. 26 Jan. in (1975) 104 I haue a gowyn clothe of mostyrdewyl[l] of my Lordys leueray for you agayn ȝe cwm. 1568 A. Scott (1896) i. 184 To fecht in barrowis..Agane thy Grace gett ane guid man. 1603 xxi. sig. Bv Ȝour Cater he may cair for syne Sum delicate agane ȝe dyne. a1640 P. Massinger (1658) iii. i. 97 Get..His cap, and pantables ready..And a cawdle Again you rise? 1790 A. Wheeler 59 Yaurs may..seaav sumet agayn they er aud. 1816 W. Scott Old Mortality x, in 1st Ser. III. 197 I hae been just putting your honour's things in readiness again ye were waking. 1864 J. Ramsbottom 46 Laid it by..Agen ther coom a rainy day. 1887 J. C. Harris 102 Ag'in bullaces is ripe you'll git your heart sot on 'possum. 1931 A. Hannum 166 I aimed to give you yore pick of 'em ag'in you got married. 1988 W. A. D. Riach 1 It'll be dark agin you're there. 1996 S. Moylan i. 15 Again you're as ould as me you'll know a lot about the world. Phrases1490 W. Caxton tr. (1885) vi. 140 Goo backe agen, & marre not your horse about noughte. 1597 W. Shakespeare ii. iii. 8 Nurce come back again. 1695 J. Woodward 164 This Mass of Water fell back again..into the Alveus of the Ocean. 1790 E. Burke 36 In order afterwards to smuggle them back again into this country. View more context for this quotation 1876 ‘M. Twain’ xiv. 123 They were back again with some handsome bass, a couple of sun-perch and a small catfish. 1915 L. M. Montgomery xxxv. 272 Here we are, all back again, nicely sunburned and rejoicing. 1997 J. Updike 169 I would shift from my left side to my right side and back again. the world > time > frequency > [adverb] > repeatedly 1533 T. More ii. p. lxxxii The deuyll..letted not to assay Iob agayne & agayne for all the pacyence that he founde in hym. 1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe 64 And the same question repeateth agayne and agayne very boyeshly. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1622) i. iii. 364 I haue told thee often, and I tell thee againe, and againe . View more context for this quotation 1678 J. Moxon I. ii. 26 You may thus work it round again and again. 1703 D. Defoe True-born Englishman in I. Explan. Pref. sig. B3v Its being Printed again and again, by Pyrates. 1759 S. Johnson II. xlv. 135 They came again and again, and were every time more welcome than before. 1806 J. Beresford I. xi. 285 The face or hands..begrimed with that mysterious sort of filth, which, as soon as you have, with great difficulty, scoured it away, returns again and again. 1855 T. B. Macaulay IV. xvii. 91 Again and again the assailants were driven back. 1903 H. James iii. vii. 105 Again and again as the days passed he had had a sense of the pertinence of communicating quickly with Woollett. 1999 Aug. 28/1 Lady Hawarden returned again and again to the simple subjectless contemplation of young women lost in reverie. the world > time > frequency > infrequency > [adverb] > sometimes or occasionally the world > time > frequency > [adverb] > repeatedly 1788 J. Hurdis 78 Ever and again lets fall the loud And awful hammer. 1856 C. Dickens (1857) i. xix. 161 He held the usual screwed bit of whity-brown paper in his hand, from which he ever and again unscrewed a spare pinch of snuff. 1880 W. Cyples iii. 63 The flesh, ever-and-again, pleasantly tingles. 1922 O. P. Gifford i. i. 10 Ever and again on the street I see a boy who has managed to get a ‘hitch’; he is getting a ride for nothing. 1998 D. K. Cameron i. 2 The cries of the spielers and the hucksters rose ever and again, increasingly insistent. 1888 2 Aug. 81/3 It was as natural for them to support the party in power..as it was for the ‘Pat’ of the anecdote to reply, when asked on landing which party he belonged to: ‘I'm ag'in the gover'mint.’ 1904 5 Nov. 615 He was by nature ‘agin' the Government’. 1960 4 Nov. 14/3 The Kennedy crowds..are noticeably..people who are agin the Government. 2003 8 June 16/2 You may think you are all on the same side, agin the government. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2012; most recently modified version published online June 2022). > see alsoalso refers to : † again-comb. form <  adv.prep.conj.eOEsee also |
