main

main
I. noun Etymology: in sense 1, from Middle English, from Old English mǣgen; akin to Old High German magan strength, Old English magan to be able; in other senses, from 2main or by shortening — more at may Date: before 12th century 1. physical strength ; force — used in the phrase with might and main 2. a. mainland b. high sea 3. the chief part ; essential point <
they are in the main well-trained
>
4. a pipe, duct, or circuit which carries the combined flow of tributary branches of a utility system 5. a. mainmast b. mainsail II. adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Old English mǣgen-, from mǣgen strength Date: 15th century 1. chief, principal <
the main idea
>
2. fully exerted ; sheer <
main force
>
<
by main strength
>
3. obsolete of or relating to a broad expanse (as of sea) 4. connected with or located near the mainmast or mainsail 5. expressing the chief predication in a complex sentence <
the main clause
>

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • Main — (m[=a]n), a. [From {Main} strength, possibly influenced by OF. maine, magne, great, L. magnus. Cf. {Magnate}.] 1. Very or extremely strong. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] That current with main fury ran. Daniel. [1913 Webster] 2. Vast; huge. [Obs.] The… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Main — Main, n. [AS. m[ae]gen strength, power, force; akin to OHG. magan, Icel. megin, and to E. may, v. [root]103. See {May}, v.] 1. Strength; force; might; violent effort. [Obs., except in certain phrases.] [1913 Webster] There were in this battle of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • main — (m[=a]n), n. [F. main hand, L. manus. See {Manual}.] 1. A hand or match at dice. Prior. Thackeray. [1913 Webster] 2. A stake played for at dice. [Obs.] Shak. [1913 Webster] 3. The largest throw in a match at dice; a throw at dice within given… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Main — Main, adv. [See {Main}, a.] Very; extremely; as, main heavy. I m main dry. Foote. [Obs. or Low] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • MAIN — s. f. Partie du corps humain, qui est à l extrémité du bras, qui s étend depuis le poignet jusqu au bout des doigts, et que sa conformation rend propre à toute sorte d actions et d ouvrages. La main droite. La main gauche. Le creux, le dedans, la …   Dictionnaire de l'Academie Francaise, 7eme edition (1835)

  • MAIN — n. f. Partie du corps humain qui est à l’extrémité du bras, qui s’étend depuis le poignet jusqu’au bout des doigts, qui sert à la préhension, qui est le principal organe du toucher et que sa conformation rend propre à toute sorte d’actions et… …   Dictionnaire de l'Academie Francaise, 8eme edition (1935)

  • Main — For the Wikipedia website front page, see Main Page. For the Wikipedia main namespace, see Help:Namespace. Main may refer to: Main (river), a major river and tributary of the Rhine in Germany Main River (Chukotka), a river in Far Eastern Siberia… …   Wikipedia

  • main — See: IN THE MAIN, WITH MIGHT AND MAIN …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • main — See: IN THE MAIN, WITH MIGHT AND MAIN …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • Main Street Historic District — or Old Main Street Historic District may refer to: in the United States (by state then city) Main Street Historic District (Tuskegee, Alabama), listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in Macon County, Alabama Main Street… …   Wikipedia

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