Emily Dickinson Lexicon

against, prep. [OE ongegn; see again, adv.] (webplay: against the wind, bearing, every man, hand, King, leans against, man, mouth, measures, opposite, opposition, place, public).

1. Upon; supported by; in contact with; resting on the surface of.
2. At variance with; in contradiction to; of an opposing view.
3. Next to; directly nearby; very close to.
4. Counter to; in opposition to; in competition with; with hostility for.
5. To counteract; to neutralize; to offset; in provision for; as a protection from.