from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Main \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.]
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That current with main fury ran. --Daniel.
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2. Vast; huge. [Obs.] "The main abyss." --Milton.
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3. Unqualified; absolute; entire; sheer. [Obs.] "It's a man
untruth." --Sir W. Scott.
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4. Principal; chief; first in size, rank, importance, etc.;
as, the main reason to go; the main proponent.
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Our main interest is to be happy as we can.
--Tillotson.
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5. 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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