GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
last match results
Found 4 definitions
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main (mān), n. [F. main hand, L. manus. See Manual.]
1. A hand or match at dice. Prior. Thackeray.
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2. A stake played for at dice. [Obs.] Shak.
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3. The largest throw in a match at dice; a throw at dice within given limits, as in the game of hazard.
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4. A match at cockfighting. “My lord would ride twenty miles . . . to see a main fought.” Thackeray.
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5. A main-hamper. [Obs.] Ainsworth.
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Main, n. [AS. mægen strength, power, force; akin to OHG. magan, Icel. megin, and to E. may, v. √103. See May, v.]
1. Strength; force; might; violent effort. [Obs., except in certain phrases.]
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There were in this battle of most might and main. R. of Gl.
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He 'gan advance,
With huge force, and with importable main. Spenser.
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2. The chief or principal part; the main or most important thing. [Obs., except in special uses.]
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Resolved to rest upon the title of Lancaster as the main, and to use the other two . . . but as supporters. Bacon.
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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”.
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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.
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With might and main they chased the murderous fox. Dryden.
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Main (mān), a. [From Main strength, possibly influenced by OF. maine, magne, great, L. magnus. Cf. Magnate.]
1. Very or extremely strong. [Obs.]
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That current with main fury ran. Daniel.
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2. Vast; huge. [Obs.] “The main abyss.” Milton.
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3. Unqualified; absolute; entire; sheer. [Obs.] “It's a man untruth.” Sir W. Scott.
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4. Principal; chief; first in size, rank, importance, etc.; as, “the main reason to go; the main proponent”.
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Our main interest is to be happy as we can. Tillotson.
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5. Important; necessary. [Obs.]
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That which thou aright
Believest so main to our success, I bring. Milton.
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By main force, by mere force or sheer force; by violent effort; as, “to subdue insurrection by main force”.
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That Maine which by main force Warwick did win. Shak.
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-- 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.
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Syn. -- Principal; chief; leading; cardinal; capital.
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Main, adv. [See Main, a.] Very; extremely; as, “main heavy”. “I'm main dry.” Foote. [Obs. or Low]
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