Note: these 'words' (valid or invalid) are all the permutations of the word again. These words are obtained by scrambling the letters in again.
Definitions and meaning of again
again
Alternative forms
agen, againe, agayne, ageyne(all obsolete)
agin, ag'in(colloquial or humorous)
Pronunciation
IPA(key): /əˈɡɛn/, /əˈɡeɪn/
(regional US) IPA(key): /əˈɡɪn/
Rhymes: -eɪn, -ɛn
Hyphenation: a‧gain
Etymology
From Middle Englishagayn, again,ayain, ayen, anȝen, from Old Englishāġēan, onġēan, onġeġn(“towards, against, opposite to, contrary to, against, in exchange for, opposite, back, again, anew, also”). Cognate with Danishigen(“again”), Swedishigen(“again”), and Norwegianigjen(“again”)
Adverb
again (not comparable)
Another time; once more. [from 14thc.]
1931, Robert L. May, Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Montgomery Ward (publisher), draft:
He tangled in tree-tops again and again / And barely missed hitting a tri-motored plane.
1979, Charles Edward Daniels et al., “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” (song), Million Mile Reflections, Charlie Daniels Band, Epic Records:
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.”
2010, Simon Hattenstone, The Guardian, 30 October:
The last sentence is so shocking, I have to read it again.
Over and above a factor of one. [from 16thc.]
1908 December 10, Austin H. Clark, “New Genera and Species of Crinoids”, Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, Volume XXI, pp.229–230:
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;[…].
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.[from 16thc.]
Tell me again, say again; used in asking a question to which one may have already received an answer that one cannot remember.
I ask again, I say again; used in repeating a question or statement.
Here too, here also, in this case as well; used in applying a previously made point to a new instance; sometimes preceded by "here".
A great bargain also had been the excellent Axminster carpet which covered the floor; as, again, the arm-chair in which Bunting now sat forward, staring into the dull, small fire.
(obsolete) Back in the reverse direction, or to an original starting point. [10th–18thc.]
1526, The Bible, tr. William Tyndale, Matthew 2:
And after they were warned in ther slepe, that they shulde not go ageyne to Herod, they retourned into ther awne countre another way.
Back (to a former place or state). [from 11thc.]
(obsolete) In return, as a reciprocal action; back. [13th–19thc.]
1852–3, Charles Dickens, Bleak House
As he lies in the light before a glaring white target, the black upon him shines again[…].
(obsolete) In any other place.
(Can we find and add a quotation of Francis Bacon to this entry?)
(obsolete) On the other hand.
Moreover; besides; further.
1835, John Herschel, A Treatise on Astronomy
Again, it is of great consequence to avoid, etc.
Derived terms
Translations
Preposition
again
(obsolete or dialectal) Against.
1485, Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book X:
And here begynneth the treson of Kynge Marke that he ordayned agayne Sir Trystram.
1924, J H Wilkinson, Leeds Dialect Glossary and Lore, page 60
Ah'd like to wahrn (warn) thi agaan 'evvin owt to dew wi' that chap.
2003, Glasgow Sunday Herald, page 16, column 2:
You may think you are all on the same side, agin the government.