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Definitions for: Main
[n] a principal pipe in a system that distributes water or gas or electricity or that collects sewage
[n] any very large body of (salt) water
Webster (1913) Definition: 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.
Main, n. [AS. m[ae]gen 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, or In the main, for the most part; in the
greatest part.
With might and main, or 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.
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.
Main, adv. [See Main, a.]
Very; extremely; as, main heavy. ``I'm main dry.'' --Foote.
[Obs. or Low]
Synonyms: briny
See Also: base, body of water, electric main, gas main, high sea, hydrosphere, infrastructure, international waters, offing, pipage, pipe, piping, sewer line, sewer main, territorial waters, water, water main
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