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main Definition

main (mān)

noun

  1. physical strength; force; power: now only in with might and main, with all one's strength

  2. Etymology: < mainthe

    the principal or most important part or point: usually in the phrase in the main, mostly, chiefly
  3. a principal pipe, conduit, or line in a distribution system for water, gas, electricity, etc.
  4. Old Poet. the high, or open, sea; ocean
  5. Archaic the mainland
  6. Obsolete any broad expanse
  7. Naut.
    1. mainmast
    2. mainsail

Etymology: ME < OE mægen, akin to ON magn: see might

adjective

  1. Obsolete strong; powerful
  2. chief in size, extent, importance, etc.; principal; leading; specif., designating a large central unit on which subsidiaries or branches depend the main post office
  3. of, near, or connected with the mainmast or mainsail
  4. Brit., Dialectal remarkable; considerable
  5. Obsolete designating a broad expanse of land, sea, or space

Etymology: ME mayn < OE mægen- (in comp.) & ON meginn, strong

main Idioms

by main force (or strength)

by sheer force (or strength)

Main Definition

Main (mīn; E mān)

river in SW Germany, flowing west into the Rhine at Mainz: 307 mi (494 km)

Etymology: G < Gaul Moenus < IE *moin-, river name < base *mei-, to go, wander > L meare, to go

main Synonyms

main

modif.

principal, chief, foremost, central; see principal. See syn. study at principal.

main Synonyms

main

n.

trunk, channel, trough; see pipe 1.

main Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • power: The unit is mains powered but can be fitted with a back up battery in case of mains failure.
  • replace: But, six months after the new pavements were laid, Transco ripped them up to replace the gas mains.

Adjective modifier

  • new: Stone Age tools were just some of the fascinating discoveries made as 20 kilometers of new strategic mains were laid.
  • strategic: Stone Age tools were just some of the fascinating discoveries made as 20 kilometers of new strategic mains were laid.

Modifies a noun

  • aim: The main aim was to save wheat by getting people to eat less bread.
  • road: The main road along the Severn valley runs from the bottom of the map to the top right corner.
  • reason: There are two main reasons for insisting on strong English language skills.
  • entrance: There is a car park situated just within the main entrance to the hospital.
  • focus: She said the main focus of our work should be Respect.
  • objective: The main objective of =20 the conference is to collect views on the Geneva Plan of Action from =20 a Canadian civil society perspective.

Noun used with modifier

  • water: Right next to the sewer pipe and the water mains!
  • amp: Battery protected memory: Power: supplied from a 13 amp mains adapter unit.
  • gas: But, six months after the new pavements were laid, Transco ripped them up to replace the gas mains.
main Quotes

No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.

—Donne,John

Cold is Cadwallon's tongue, That hushed the stormy main.

—Gray,Thomas

Bonnie Charlie's now awa, Safely owre the friendly main; Monya heart will break in twa, Should he ne'er come back again. Will ye no come back again? Will ye no come back again? Better lo'ed ye canna be, Will ye no come back again?

—Nairne, Caroline, Lady