gainstand

English

Alternative forms

• ganestand

Etymology

From Middle English gainstanden, corresponding to gain- +‎ stand. Compare againstand.

Verb

gainstand (third-person singular simple present gainstands, present participle gainstanding, simple past and past participle gainstood)

1. (transitive, UK dialectal) To stand against; resist, oppose; withstand.
   • 1603, Michel de Montaigne, translated by John Florio, The Essayes […], London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:
     , Folio Society, 2006, p.5:

     He perceived three French Gentlemen, who alone, with an incredible and undaunted boldnesse, gainstood the enraged violence, and made head against the furie of his victorious armie.

   • 1856, John Knox, The works of John Knox: Volume 5:

     And you, now last in accusing us of these most odious crimes, whereof we be most innocent, ye and your brethern, I say, in teaching this your pestilent doctrine, and accusing us who gainstand your devilish errors, do plainely declare what ye have already intended, if God by his great power bridle not your furie.

   • 1874, The Gentleman's magazine, volume 237:

     It was the New Castle built upon Tyne to gainstand the Scots, who then and for some centuries afterwards sadly troubled these rough borderers, and in turn were sadly troubled by them.

   • 1888, Eliakim Littell, Robert S. Littell, The living age: Volume 177:

     And therefore I conclude that they who gainstood his commandment resisted not the ordinance of God.

2. (intransitive, UK dialectal) To make or offer resistance.

Derived terms

• gainstander
• gainstanding

Noun

gainstand (plural gainstands)

1. (now chiefly dialectal, Scotland) Opposition; resistance.