main (mān), n. [F. main hand, L. manus. See Manual.] 1. A hand or match at dice. Prior. Thackeray.
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2. A stake played for at dice. [Obs.] Shak.
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3. The largest throw in a match at dice; a throw at dice within given limits, as in the game of hazard.
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4. A match at cockfighting. “My lord would ride twenty miles . . . to see a main fought.” Thackeray.
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5. A main-hamper. [Obs.] Ainsworth.
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Main (mān), 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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