To speak against, contradict, or deny something that has been said; to argue or gainsay.
Compound of 'again' plus 'say,' literally 'to say back' or 'say against.' The related word 'gainsay' derives from Old Norse 'gegn' (against) plus 'say,' showing Germanic roots.
Medieval English had 'againsay' and its cousin 'gainsay'—both mean to contradict, but 'gainsay' survived while 'againsay' faded, showing how language constantly loses synonyms through competition.
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