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.
   
   1913 Webster
   A stake played for at dice. [Obs.]
   Shak.
   
   1913 Webster
   The largest throw in a match at dice; a throw at dice within given limits, as in the game of hazard.
   1913 Webster
   A match at cockfighting. “My lord would ride twenty miles . . . to see a main fought.”  
   Thackeray.
   
   1913 Webster
   A main-hamper. [Obs.]
   Ainsworth.
   
   1913 Webster
         
       

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.]
   1913 Webster
   There were in this battle of most might and main.
   R. of Gl.
   
   1913 Webster
   He 'gan advance,
   With huge force, and with importable main.
   Spenser.
   
   1913 Webster
   The chief or principal part; the main or most important thing. [Obs., except in special uses.]
   1913 Webster
   Resolved to rest upon the title of Lancaster as the main, and to use the other two . . . but as supporters.
   Bacon.
   
   1913 Webster
    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.
   1913 Webster
   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.
   1913 Webster
   With might and main they chased the murderous fox.
   Dryden.
   
   1913 Webster
   
         
       

3.       
   Main , a. [From Main strength, possibly influenced by OF.  maine, magne, great, L. magnus.  Cf. Magnate.]
   Very or extremely strong. [Obs.]
   1913 Webster
   That current with main fury ran.
   Daniel.
   
   1913 Webster
   Vast; huge. [Obs.] “The main abyss.”  
   Milton.
   
   1913 Webster
   Unqualified; absolute; entire; sheer. [Obs.] “It's a man untruth.” Sir W. Scott.
   1913 Webster
   Principal; chief; first in size, rank, importance, etc.; as, the main reason to go; the main proponent.
   1913 Webster
   +PJC
   Our main interest is to be happy as we can.
   Tillotson.
   
   1913 Webster
   Important; necessary. [Obs.]
   1913 Webster
   That which thou aright
   Believest so main to our success, I bring.
   Milton.
   
   1913 Webster
   By main force, by mere force or sheer force; by violent effort; as, to subdue insurrection by main force.
   1913 Webster
   That Maine which by main force Warwick did win.
   Shak.
   
   1913 Webster
   -- 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.
   1913 Webster
   Syn. -- Principal; chief; leading; cardinal; capital.
   1913 Webster
   
         
       

4.       
   Main, adv. [See Main, a.] Very; extremely; as, main heavy. “I'm main dry.” Foote. [Obs. or Low]
   1913 Webster