Obs. (but see GAINSAY.) [AGAIN- 1.]
1. To say nay; to refuse; to deny.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron., 210. Þe Kyng William alle þis ageynsaid.
c. 1400. Apol. for Loll., 3. He þat may ageynsey his wombe, & despice þe goodis of þis world.
1480. Caxton, Chron. Eng., VI. (1520), 74/1. The kynge wolde not them agaynsaye, but asmoche as they ordeyned he graunted and confyrmed.
a. 1520. Myrroure of Our Ladye, 150. And that the reson desyreth, the sensualyte againe sayth.
2. trans. and intr. To speak against, contradict.
1382. Wyclif, Ecclus. iv. 30. Aȝensey thou not to the word of treuthe any maner [1388 Agenseie thou not the].
1395. Purvey, Remonstr. (1851), 76. Oo pope agenseith the sentence of a nothir.
1549. Chaloner, trans. Erasm. Moriæ Enc., E iiij b. The Archestoike Seneca strongly againsaieth me.
1552–5. Latimer, Serm. & Rem. (1845), 40. They cannot suffer to be againsaid.
1589. Puttenham, Eng. Poesie (1869), 173. From the beginning, as to say [twixt for betwixt] [gainsay for againesay:] [ill for euill].
3. To reverse (a judgment or sentence).
1609. Skene, Reg. Maj., 65. Ane amerciament of ane fals dome againe said in the Justitiars court, is ten pounds.
