Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Main
Main
,Noun.
[AS. ]
mægen
strength, power, force; akin to OHG. magan
, Icel. megin
, and to E. may
, v. √103. See May
, Verb.
1.
Strength; force; might; violent effort.
[Obs., except in certain phrases.]
There were in this battle of most might and
main
. R. of Gl.
He ’gan advance,
With huge force, and with importable
With huge force, and with importable
main
. Spenser.
2.
The chief or principal part; the main or most important thing.
[Obs., except in special uses.]
Resolved to rest upon the title of Lancaster as the
main
, and to use the other two . . . but as supporters. Bacon.
3.
Specifically: (a)
The great sea, as distinguished from an arm, bay, etc. ; the high sea; the ocean.
“Struggling in the main.” Dryden.
(b)
The continent, as distinguished from an island; the mainland.
“Invaded the main of Spain.” Bacon.
(c)
principal duct or pipe, as distinguished from lesser ones; esp.
(Engin.)
, a principal pipe leading to or from a reservoir; as, a fire
. main
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.
With might and main
they chased the murderous fox. Dryden.
Main
(mān)
, Adj.
1.
Very or extremely strong.
[Obs.]
That current with
main
fury ran. Daniel.
2.
Vast; huge.
[Obs.]
“The main abyss.” Milton.
3.
Unqualified; absolute; entire; sheer.
[Obs.]
“It's a man untruth.” Sir W. Scott.
Our
main
interest is to be happy as we can. Tillotson.
5.
Important; necessary.
[Obs.]
That which thou aright
Believest so
Believest so
main
to our success, I bring. Milton.
By main force
, by mere force or sheer force; by violent effort;
as, to subdue insurrection
.by main force
That Maine which
– by main force
Warwick did win. Shakespeare
By main strength
, by sheer strength;
– as, to lift a heavy weight
. by main strength
Main beam
(Steam Engine)
, working beam.
– Main boom
(Naut.)
, the boom which extends the foot of the mainsail in a fore and aft vessel.
– Main brace
. (a)
(Mech.)
The brace which resists the chief strain. Cf.
Counter brace
. (b)
(Naut.)
The brace attached to the main yard.
– Main center
(Steam Engine)
, a shaft upon which a working beam or side lever swings.
– Main chance
. See under
– Chance
. Main couple
(Arch.)
, the principal truss in a roof.
– Main deck
(Naut.)
, the deck next below the spar deck; the principal deck.
– Main keel
(Naut.)
, the principal or true keel of a vessel, as distinguished from the false keel.
Syn. – Principal; chief; leading; cardinal; capital.
Webster 1828 Edition
Main
MAIN
,Adj.
1.
Principal; chief; that which has most power in producing an effect, or which is mostly regarded in prospect; as the main branch or tributary stream of a river; the main timbers of an edifice; a main design; a main object. Our main interest is to be as happy as we can, and as long as possible.
2.
Mighty; vast; as the main abyss.3.
Important; powerful. This young prince, with a train of young noblemen and gentlemen, not with any main army, came over to take possession of his patrimony.
MAIN
,Noun.
1.
The gross; the bulk; the greater part. The main of them may be reduced to language and an improvement in wisdom--
2.
The ocean; the great sea, as distinguished from rivers, bays, sounds and the like. He fell, and struggling in the main--
3.
The continent, as distinguished from an isle. We arrived at Nantucket on Saturday, but did not reach the main till Monday. In this use of the word, land is omitted; main for main land.4.
A hamper.5.
A course; a duct.For the main, in the main, for the most part; in the greatest part.
MAIN
,Noun.
And lucky mains make people wise. [Not used.]
1.
A match at cock fighting.