Emily Dickinson Lexicon

A-GAIN', adv. [agen'; Sax. gean, agen, agean, ongean; D. with a different prefix, tegen; G. dagegen, gegen; Sw. igen; Dan. igien; qu. L. con, whence contra; Ir. coinne, opposite, a meeting. Hence Sax. togeanes, togegnes, against; but placed after its object; as, “hi comen heom togeanes,” they come them against. D. tegens, against; jegens, toward; G. entgegen, dagegen, against; begegnen, to meet or encounter. The primary sense is to turn, or to meet in front; or the name of the face, front or forepart. So in Dan. and Sw. mod, imod, emot, against, is our word meet.]

1. A second time; once more. I will not again curse the ground. Gen. viii.
2. It notes something further, or additional to one or more particulars. For to which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a father and he shall be to me a son? And again, Let all the angels of God worship him. – Heb. i. All the uses of this word carry in them the ideas of return or repetition; as in these phrases, – give it back again; give him as much again, that is, the same quantity once more or repeated. There is not, in the world again, such a commerce as in London. Who art thou that answerest again? Bring us word again. Again and again, often; with frequent repetition.