gainstander

G2A1I1N1S1T1A1N1D2E1R1

noun

One who stands in opposition to (a belief, cause, etc.); an opposer

OriginMiddle English aȝenstondere →
Scrabble 13
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Meanings

noungainstander (plural gainstanders)

plural gainstanders

  1. archaicOne who stands in opposition to (a belief, cause, etc.); an opposer

    "[…] Formerly, it is said, they were leopards; but now they are become lions at all points, and must take precedence of beast, fish, or fowl, or woe worth the gainstander."

    1832, Sir Walter Scott, The Talisman

Origin

  1. Middle Englishaȝenstondere
  2. Englishgainstander

From Middle English aȝenstondere, equivalent to gainstand + -er. Cognate with Scots gainstandar, ganstandar and againstandare (“resister, opposer, opponent”).

More words from Middle English

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

gainstander. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gainstander

MLA

“gainstander.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gainstander. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “gainstander,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gainstander.

Source: gainstander on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.