again

Etymology

From Middle English agayn, from Old English onġēan (“against, again”). Cognate with Old Frisian ajēn (whence North Frisian ijen (“against”)), Danish igen (“again”), Swedish igen (“again”), and Norwegian Bokmål igjen (“again”).

adv

1. Another time; once more.
   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. 1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, chapter 1, in Mr. Pratt's Patients
   He tangled in tree-tops again and again / And barely missed hitting a tri-motored plane. 1931, Robert L. May, Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Montgomery Ward (publisher), draft
   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.” 1979, Charles Edward Daniels et al., “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” (song), Million Mile Reflections, Charlie Daniels Band, Epic Records
   The last sentence is so shocking, I have to read it again. 30 October 2010, Simon Hattenstone, The Guardian
2. Over and above a factor of one.
   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;[…]. December 10 1908, Austin H. Clark, “New Genera and Species of Crinoids”, in Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, volume XXI, pages 229–230
3. 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.
   1. Tell me again, say again; used in asking a question to which one may have already received an answer that one cannot remember.
      What's that called again?
   2. I ask again, I say again; used in repeating a question or statement.
      Again, I'm not criticizing, I just want to understand.
   3. Here too, here also, in this case as well; used in applying a previously made point to a new instance; sometimes preceded by "here".
      Approach B is better than approach A in many respects, but again, there are difficulties in implementing it.
4. (obsolete) Back in the reverse direction, or to an original starting point.
   Bring us word again.
5. Back (to a former place or state).
   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. 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 19, in The China Governess
6. (obsolete) In return, as a reciprocal action; back.
7. (obsolete) In any other place.
8. (obsolete) On the other hand.
9. Moreover; besides; further.
   Again, it is of great consequence to avoid, etc. 1835, John Herschel, A Treatise on Astronomy

prep

1. (obsolete or dialectal) Against.
   And here begynneth the treson of Kynge Marke that he ordayned agayne Sir Trystram. 1485, Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book X
   Ah'd like to wahrn (warn) thi agaan 'evvin owt to dew wi' that chap. 1924, J H Wilkinson, Leeds Dialect Glossary and Lore, page 60
   You may think you are all on the same side, agin the government. 2003, Glasgow Sunday Herald, page 16, column 2