Gain-

Alternative forms

• gane- Scotland

Origin

From Middle English gain-, from Old English geġn-, gēan- ("back, against, in return", prefix.), from Proto-Germanic *gagin ("towards, against"). Cognate with Dutch tegen- ("counter-"), German gegen- ("against, toward, at"), Icelandic gagn- ("through"). More at again.

Full definition of gain-

Prefix

1. Prefix meaning "against", "contrary to", "in opposition to", "counter-".gainsay, gainstand, gainstay, gainstrive
2. Prefix denoting reciprocal action; "in return"; "counter-".gainclap, gaingive, gainyield
3. Prefix denoting restoration or a return to a previous state; "back again".gainbuy, gaincover, gaintake
4. Prefix denoting repetition; "over again"; "anew"; again-.gainbirth, gainrising

Derived terms

• gainbite
• gaincome
• gaincope
• gaindo
• gaingiving
• gainsay
• gainstand
• gainstrive
• gaintwist