[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

main \main\ m=an, 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 main abyss." --milton.
      1913 webster

   3. unqualified; absolute; entire; sheer. obs. "it's a man
      untruth." --sir w. scott.
      1913 webster

   4. 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

   5. 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
see also:
main magnate by main force by main strength main beam main boom 
main brace counter brace main center main chance chance 
main couple main deck main keel 

Main Brace >> M Words
Main Brace, definition of term: Main Brace
main+brace_pag1.html

Brace >> B Words
Brace, definition of term: Brace
brace_pag1.html

Main >> M Words
Main, definition of term: Main
main_pag1.html

Main Street >> M Words
Main Street, definition of term: Main Street
main+street_pag1.html

Main Road >> M Words
Main Road, definition of term: Main Road
main+road_pag1.html

Main Distributi >> M Words
Main Distributi, definition of term: Main Distributi
main+distributi_pag1.html

Main Line >> M Words
Main Line, definition of term: Main Line
main+line_pag1.html

Main Memory >> M Words
Main Memory, definition of term: Main Memory
main+memory_pag1.html

Brewer, E. Cobham. Dictionary of Phrase & Fable. Main-brace.
...The main-brace is the rope by which the mainyard of a ship is set in position, and to splice it.....Main-brace.  Splice the main-brace, in sea language, means to take a draught of strong drink to keep the spirits up.....Main Chance (The).    Click here to shop the Bartleby Bookstore. Welcome · Press..
http://www.bartleby.com/81/10822.html, score=100, date indexed=July 5, 2005, 8:50 am

Brewer, E. Cobham. Dictionary of Phrase & Fable. Main-brace.
...The main-brace is the rope by which the mainyard of a ship is set in position, and to splice it.....Main-brace.  Splice the main-brace, in sea language, means to take a draught of strong drink to keep the spirits up.....Main Chance (The).    Click here to shop the Bartleby Bookstore. Welcome · Press..
http://www.bartelby.org/81/10822.html, score=59, date indexed=July 14, 2005, 12:20 am

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