Search the Dictionary

That which is gained, obtained, or acquired, as increase, profit, advantage, or benefit; -- opposed to loss. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Phil. iii. 7. Godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Tim. vi. 6. Every one shall share in the gains. Shak.

Capable of being obtained or reached. Sherwood.

The horses, oxen, plows, wains or wagons and implements for carrying on tillage.

One who gains. Shak.

Profitable; advantageous; lucrative. "A gainful speculation." Macaulay. -- Gain"ful*ly, adv. -- Gain"ful*ness, n.

A misgiving. [Obs.]

Not producing gain; unprofitable. Hammond. -- Gain"less/ness, n.

Handily; readily; dexterously; advantageously. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

Bread-gainer; -- a term applied in the Middle Ages to the sword of a hired soldier.

orbid. I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. Luke xxi. 15. The just gods gainsay That any drop thou borrow'dst from thy mother, My sacred aunt, should by my mortal sword Be drained. Shak.

One who gainsays, contradicts, or denies. "To convince the gainsayers." Tit. i. 9.

oman's broad-brimmed hat of a form thought to resemble those shown in portraits by Thomas Gainsborough, the English artist (1727- 88).

Gainful.

To withstand; to resist. [Obs.] Durst . . . gainstand the force of so many enraged desires. Sir P. Sidney.

To strive or struggle against; to withstand. [Obs.] Spenser.

In return, back; as, bring us word again.

Against; also, towards (in order to meet). [Obs.] Albeit that it is again his kind. Chaucer.

To redeem. [Obs.] Wyclif.

To gainsay. [Obs.] Wyclif.

Abreast; opposite to; facing; towards; as, against the mouth of a river; -- in this sense often preceded by over. Jacob saw the angels of God come against him. Tyndale.