Etymology

A formation on OE þǣr + agaynʒ.

PGmc Ancestor

*gagni-

Proposed ON Etymon (OIcel representative)

(í) gegn 'in opposition, against, in return'
(ONP gegn (1) (sb.))

Other Scandinavian Reflexes

Far ígen, Icel gegn, Dan igen, OSw gen

OE Cognate

on-gegn, on-gēan  'against'; cp. ongegnes 'against'

Phonological and morphological markers

absence of palatalization of */ɡ/

Summary category

A1*c

Attestation

See agaynʒ.

Occurrences in the Gersum Corpus

WA 1264

Bibliography

MED ther-ayēnes adv. , OED thereagainst adv. , HTOED , Bj. 151, de Vries gegn, Mag. gegn (2), Orel *ʒaʒnē, AEW gegn (2)