MAIN, a. [L. magnus.]

1. Principal; chief; that which has most power in producing an effect, or which is mostly regarded in prospect; as, the main branch or tributary stream of a river; the main timbers of an edifice; a main design; a main object. Our main interest is to be as happy as we can, and as long as possible. Tillotson.
2. Mighty; vast; as, the main abyss. Milton.
3. Important; powerful. This young prince, with a train of young noblemen and gentlemen, not with any main army, came over to take possession of his patrimony. Davies.

1. Strength; force; violent effort; as in the phrase, “with might and main.” Dryden.
2. The gross; the bulk; the greater part. The main of them may be reduced to language and an improvement in wisdom. Locke.
3. The ocean; the great sea, as distinguished from rivers, bays, sounds and the like. He fell, and struggling in the main. Dryden.
4. The continent, as distinguished from an isle. We arrived at Nantucket on Saturday, but did not reach the main till Monday. In this use of the word, land is omitted; main for main land.
5. A hamper. Ainsworth.
6. A course; a duct. Act of Parliament. For the main, in the main, for the most part; in the greatest part.

1. A hand at dice. We throw a merry main. And lucky mains make people wise. [Not used.] Prior.
2. A match at cock-fighting.

1. A hand or match at dice.
   
   
   Prior. Thackeray.
2. 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.

3. Very or extremely strong.
   
   
   [Obs.]

   That current with main fury ran. Daniel.

4. Very; extremely; as, main heavy.
   
   
   "I'm main dry." Foote. [Obs. or Low]
5. A stake played for at dice.
   
   
   [Obs.] Shak.
6. 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.

7. Vast; huge.
   
   
   [Obs.] "The main abyss." Milton.
8. The largest throw in a match at dice; a throw at dice within given limits, as in the game of hazard.
9. The great sea, as distinguished from an arm, bay, etc. ; the high sea; the ocean.
   
   
   "Struggling in the main." Dryden. (b)
10. Unqualified; absolute; entire; sheer.
    
    
    [Obs.] "It's a man untruth." Sir W. Scott.
11. A match at cockfighting.
    
    
    "My lord would ride twenty miles . . . to see a main fought." Thackeray.
12. Principal; chief; first in size, rank, importance, etc.
    
    

    Our main interest is to be happy as we can. Tillotson.

13. A main-hamper.
    
    
    [Obs.] Ainsworth.
14. 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.