gainstander

English

Etymology

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

Noun

gainstander (plural gainstanders)

  1. (archaic) One who stands in opposition to (a belief, cause, etc.); an opposer
    • 1832, Sir Walter Scott, The Talisman:
      " […] 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."
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