Gainstrive

Origin

From - + strive.

Full definition of gainstrive

Verb

1. (obsolete, transitive) To strive against; to resist, oppose. 16th century
2. (obsolete, intransitive) To resist; to fight back. 16th century
• 1596, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, IV.7:For on the spoile of women he doth live,
  Whose bodies chast, when ever in his powre
  He may them catch unable to gainstrive,
  He with his shamefull lust doth first deflowre,
  And afterwardes themselves doth cruelly devoure.

Derived terms

• gainstriving

Related terms

• gainstrife