main
main (mān) , noun
[French main hand, Latin manus. See Manual.]
1.
A hand or match at dice. — Prior
2.
A stake played for at dice. [Obsolete] — Shakespeare
3.
The largest throw in a match at dice; a throw at dice within given limits, as in the game of hazard.
4.
A match at cockfighting.
My lord would ride twenty miles... to see a main fought.
5.
A main-hamper. [Obsolete] — Ainsworth
Main , noun
[Anglo-Saxon magen strength, power, force; akin to Old High German magan, Icelandic megin, and to English may, v. r103. See May, v.]
1.
Strength; force; might; violent effort. [Obsolete, except in certain phrases.]
There were in this battle of most might and main.
He 'gan advance,
With huge force, and with importable main.
2.
The chief or principal part; the main or most important thing. [Obsolete, except in special uses.]
Resolved to rest upon the title of Lancaster as the main, and to use the other two... but as supporters.
3.
(a) (Engineering) The great sea, as distinguished from an arm, bay, etc.; the high sea; the ocean.
(b)
(Engineering) The continent, as distinguished from an island; the mainland.
(c)
(Engineering) principal duct or pipe, as distinguished from lesser ones; esp. (Engineering), a principal pipe leading to or from a reservoir; as, a fire main.
Struggling in the main.
Invaded the main of Spain.
With might and main they chased the murderous fox.
Collocations (3)
Forcing main , the delivery pipe of a pump.
For the main or In the main , for the most part; in the greatest part.
With might and main or With all one's might and main , with all one's strength; with violent effort.
Main (mān) , adjective
[From Main strength, possibly influenced by Old French maine, magne, great, Latin magnus. Compare Magnate.]
1.
Very or extremely strong. [Obsolete]
That current with main fury ran.
2.
Vast; huge. [Obsolete]
The main abyss.
3.
Unqualified; absolute; entire; sheer. [Obsolete]
It's a man untruth.
4.
Principal; chief; first in size, rank, importance, etc.; as, the main reason to go; the main proponent.
Our main interest is to be happy as we can.
5.
Important; necessary. [Obsolete]
That which thou aright
Believest so main to our success, I bring.
That Maine which by main force Warwick did win.
Main , adverb
[See Main, a.]
Very; extremely; as, main heavy. [Obsolete or Low]
I'm main dry.