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. [Obs.]
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. "My lord would ride twenty miles . . . to see a main fought."
Thackeray.
5. A main-hamper. [Obs.]
Ainsworth.
© Webster 1913.
Main, n. [AS. maegen strength, power, force; akin to OHG. magan, Icel. megin, and to E. may, v. . See May, v.] 1. Strength; force; might; violent effort. [Obs., except in certain phrases.]
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. [Obs., except in special uses.]
Resolved to rest upon the title of Lancaster as the main, and to use the other two . . . but as supporters.
Bacon.
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.
Forcing main, the delivery pipe of a pump. -- For the main, ∨ In the main, for the most part; in the greatest part. -- With might and main, ∨ 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.
© Webster 1913.
Main (?), a. [From Main strength, possibly influenced by OF. maine, magne, great, L. magnus. Cf. Magnate.] 1. Very or extremely strong. [Obs.]
That current with main fury ran.
Daniel.
2. Vast; huge. [Obs.] "The main abyss."
Milton.
3. Unqualified; absolute; entire; sheer. [Obs.] "It's a man untruth." Sir W. Scott.
4. Principal; chief; first in size, rank, importance, etc.
Our main interest is to be happy as we can.
Tillotson.
5. Important; necessary. [Obs.]
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.
That Maine which by main force Warwick did win.
Shak.
-- 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.
Syn. -- Principal; chief; leading; cardinal; capital.
© Webster 1913.
Main, adv. [See Main, a.] Very extremely; as, main heavy. "I'm main dry." Foote. [Obs. or Low]
© Webster 1913. | 
