Etimology
From Middle English agayn, from Old English onġēan (“against, again”), from Proto-West Germanic [Term?]. Cognate with Old Frisian ajēn (whence North Frisian ijen (“against”)), Old Saxon angegin, Danish igen (“again”), Swedish igen (“again”), and Norwegian Bokmål igjen (“again”). By surface analysis, on- + gain (“against”).
adverb
again (not comparable)
Another time; once more. [from 14thc.]
Over and above a factor of one. [from 16thc.]
Used metalinguistically, with the repetition being in the discussion, or in the linguistic or pragmatic context of the discussion, rather than in the subject of discussion. [from 16thc.]
(obsolete) Back in the reverse direction, or to an original starting point. [10th–18thc.]
Back (to a former place or state). [from 11thc.]
(obsolete) In return, as a reciprocal action; back. [13th–19thc.]
(obsolete) In any other place.
(obsolete) On the other hand.
Moreover; besides; further.
Examples
The humor of my proposition appealed more strongly to Miss Trevor than I had looked for, and from that time forward she became her old self again; […] . Our table in the dining-room became again the abode of scintillating wit and caustic repartee, Farrar bracing up to his old standard, and the demand for seats in the vicinity rose to an animated competition.
Thinks I to myself, “Sol, you're run off your course again. This is a rich man's summer ‘cottage’ […]. […].” So I started to back away again into the bushes. But I hadn't backed more'n a couple of yards when I see something so amazing that I couldn't help scooching down behind the bayberries and looking at it.
He tangled in tree-tops again and again / And barely missed hitting a tri-motored plane.
Johnny said, “Devil, just come on back if you ever want to try again / I done told you once, you son of a bitch, I’m the best that’s ever been.”
The last sentence is so shocking, I have to read it again.
Cirri l-lxxx, 15, about 12mm. long; first two joints short, about twice as broad as long; third about one-third again [=one and one-third times] as long as broad; fourth and fifth the longest, about half again [=one and a half times] as long as broad; […].
Great, thanks again!
What's that called again?
Again, I'm not criticizing, I just want to understand.
Approach B is better than approach A in many respects, but again, there are difficulties in implementing it.
A great bargain also had been the excellent Axminster carpet which covered the floor; as, again, the arm-chair in which Bunting now sat forward, staring into the dull, small fire.
Bring us word again.
And after they were warned in ther slepe, that they shulde not go ageyne to Herod, they retourned into ther awne countre another way.
We need to bring the old customs to life again.
The South will rise again.
Meanwhile Nanny Broome was recovering from her initial panic and seemed anxious to make up for any kudos she might have lost, by exerting her personality to the utmost. She took the policeman's helmet and placed it on a chair, and unfolded his tunic to shake it and fold it up again for him.
So women are never angrie, but to the end a man should againe be angrie with them, therein imitating the lawes of Love.
Thus men are plagued with women, they again with men, when they are of diverse humours and conditions […].
As he lies in the light before a glaring white target, the black upon him shines again […].
There is not, in the world again, such a spring and seminary of brave military people as in England, Scotland, and Ireland.
The one is my sovereign […] the other again is my kinsman.
Again, it is of great consequence to avoid, etc.
Related words
synonyms
(once more): once more, re-, ana-
preposition
again
(obsolete or dialectal) Against.
Examples
And here begynneth the treson of Kynge Marke that he ordayned agayne Sir Trystram.
Ah'd like to wahrn thi agaan 'evvin owt to dew wi' that chap.
You may think you are all on the same side, agin the government.