GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 4 definitions

1.       
   main , n. [F. main hand, L. manus. See Manual.]
   A hand or match at dice.
   Prior. Thackeray.
   
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   A stake played for at dice. [Obs.]
   Shak.
   
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   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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   A match at cockfighting. “My lord would ride twenty miles . . . to see a main fought.”
   Thackeray.
   
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   A main-hamper. [Obs.]
   Ainsworth.
   
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2.       
   Main, n. [AS. mægen strength, power, force; akin to OHG. magan, Icel. megin, and to E. may, v. √103. See May, v.]
   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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   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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    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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3.       
   Main , a. [From Main strength, possibly influenced by OF. maine, magne, great, L. magnus. Cf. Magnate.]
   Very or extremely strong. [Obs.]
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   That current with main fury ran.
   Daniel.
   
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   Vast; huge. [Obs.] “The main abyss.” 
   Milton.
   
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   Unqualified; absolute; entire; sheer. [Obs.] “It's a man untruth.” Sir W. Scott.
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   Principal; chief; first in size, rank, importance, etc.; as, the main reason to go; the main proponent.
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   +PJC
   Our main interest is to be happy as we can.
   Tillotson.
   
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   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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4.       
   Main, adv. [See Main, a.] Very; extremely; as, main heavy. “I'm main dry.” Foote. [Obs. or Low]
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