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A prefix signifying alongside of, beside, beyond, against, amiss; as parable, literally, a placing beside; paradox, that which is contrary to opinion; parachronism.

e pen at the end of a signature. In the Middle Ages, this formed a sort of rude safeguard against forgery. Brande & C.

reat a projection from the wall or frame as to allow a door or shutter to swing back flat against the wall. -- Long Parliament, Rump Parliament. See under Long, and Rump.

), promise, upon one's faith and honor, to fulfill stated conditions, as not to bear arms against one's captors, to return to custody, or the like. This man had forfeited his military parole. Macaulay.

e opposing parties or sides in a conflict or a controversy; a faction. For he that is not against us is on our part. Mark ix. 40. Make whole kingdoms take her brother's part. Waller.

e; as, to partake of a feast with others. "Brutes partake in this faculty." Locke. When I against myself with thee partake. Shak.

e passage of fluids through the pores or channels of the body. What! are my doors opposed against my passage! Shak.

A male who submits to the crime against nature; a catamite. [R.] B. Jonson.

pains, trails, or the like, without murmuring or fretfulness; bearing up with equanimity against trouble; long- suffering.

A stake hazarded in a wager. [Poetic] My life I never held but as a pawn To wage against thy enemies. Shak. In pawn, At pawn, in the state of being pledged. "Sweet wife, my honor is at pawn." Shak. -- Pawn ticket, a receipt given by the pawnbroker for an article pledged.

To accuse of crime; to inform against. [Obs.] Foxe.

Hence: To strike, pick, thrust against, or dig into, with a pointed instrument; especially, to strike, pick, etc., with repeated quick movements.

The crime against nature; sodomy.

ght. Pendant post (Arch.), a part of the framing of an open timber roof; a post set close against the wall, and resting upon a corbel or other solid support, and supporting the ends of a collar beam or any part of the roof.

By chance; perhaps; it may be; if; supposing. "If peradventure he speak against me." Shak. Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city. Gen. xviii. 24.

To strike smartly; to strike upon or against; as, to percuss the chest in medical examination. Flame percussed by air giveth a noise. Bacon.

The act of percussing, or striking one body against another; forcible collision, esp. such as gives a sound or report. Sir I. Newton.

Striking against; percutient; as, percussive force.

A charm worn as a protection against disease or mischief; an amulet. Coleridge. Now help, ye charming spells and periapts. Shak.

d; to stay; to continue steadfastly; especially, to continue fixed in a course of conduct against opposing motives; to persevere; -- sometimes conveying an unfavorable notion, as of doggedness or obstinacy. If they persist in pointing their batteries against particular persons, no laws of war forbid the making reprisal…