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Now used for plain harmony, note against note, as opposed to polyphonic harmony, in which the several parts move independently, each with its own melody.

sirable; desperate; as, a hopeless cause. The hopelessword of "never to return" Breathe I against thee, upon pain of life. Shak.

An enemy; esp., an American Indian in arms against the whites; -- commonly in the plural. [Colloq.] P. H. Sheridan.

Headstrong. That hot-mouthed beast that bears against the curb. Dryden.

A figure in which several things are mentioned that seem to make against the argument, or in favor of the opposite side, each of them being refuted in order.

Good against the jaundice. Johnson.

The act of dashing or striking against. Sir T. Browne.

devise; to compass; to purpose. See Compass, v. t., 5. How long will ye imagine mischief against a man Ps. lxii. 3.

here anything that more imbitters the enjoyment of this life than shame South. Imbittered against each other by former contests. Bancroft.

the principle substituted that rights which had been enjoyed for full twenty years (or as against the crown thirty years) should not be liable to impeachment merely by proving that they had not been enjoyed before.

The single instantaneous stroke of a body in motion against another either in motion or at rest.

Contrary to, or offending against, the rules of propriety or good breeding; guilty of, or prone to, rude, unbecoming, or uncivil words or actions; as, an impertient coxcomb; an impertient remark.

To fall or dash against; to touch upon; to strike; to hit; to ciash with; -- with on or upon. The cause of reflection is not the impinging of light on the solid or impervious parts of bodies. Sir I. Newton. But, in the present order of things, not to be employed without impinging on God's justice. Bp. Warburton.…

Striking against or upon.

To institute and prosecute a suit against, in court; to sue or prosecute at law; hence, to accuse; to impeach.

To stake; to wager; to pledge. [Obs.] Against the which he has imponed, as I take it, six French rapiers and poniards. Shak.

Unforeseen; unexpected; not provided against; unprepared. [Obs.] All improvided for dread of death. E. Hall.

y words or arguments; to contradict; to assail; to call in question; to make insinuations against; to gainsay; to oppose. The truth hereof I will net rashly pugn, or overboldly affirm. Peacham.

attribution of evil; censure; reproach; insinuation. Let us be careful to guard ourselves against these groundless imputation of our enemies. Addison.

sing; unitermitted; uninterrupted; continual; as, incessant clamors; incessant pain, etc. Against the castle gate, . . . Which with incessant force and endless hate, They batter'd day and night and entrance did await. Spenser.