main | main sözüniň manysy AjapSozluk.com

Webster's English Dictionary

main

n. [F. main hand, L. manus. See Manual.]1. A hand or match at dice. (Prior. Thackeray.)

2. A stake played for at dice. (Shak.)

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. (Thackeray.)

5. A main-hamper. (Ainsworth.)

n. [AS. mgen strength, power, force; akin to OHG. magan, Icel. megin, and to E. may, v. 103. See May, v.]1. Strength; force; might; violent effort. ()

There were in this battle of most might and main. (R. of Gl.)

He 'gan advance, With huge force, and with importable main. (Spenser.)

2. The chief or principal part; the main or most important thing. ()

Resolved to rest upon the title of Lancaster as the main, and to use the other two . . . but as supporters. (Bacon.)

3. The great sea, as distinguished from an arm, bay, etc. ; the high sea; the ocean. ()

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.)

a. [From Main strength, possibly influenced by OF. maine, magne, great, L. magnus. Cf. Magnate.]1. Very or extremely strong. ()

That current with main fury ran. (Daniel.)

2. Vast; huge. (Milton.)

3. Unqualified; absolute; entire; sheer. ()

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. (Tillotson.)

5. Important; necessary. ()

That which thou aright 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. [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. ()

()

adv. [See Main, a.] Very; extremely; as, main heavy. ()