Part 6756

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A stake played for at dice.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Shak.</i>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>The largest throw in a match at dice; a throw at dice within given limits, as in the game of hazard.</def>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>A match at cockfighting.</def> "My lord would ride twenty miles . . . to see a <i>main</i> fought."

<i>Thackeray.</i>

<p><b>5.</b> <def>A main-hamper.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Ainsworth.</i>

<h1>Main</h1> <Xpage=884>

<hw>Main</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[AS. <ets>m\'91gen</ets> strength, power, force; akin to OHG. <ets>magan</ets>, Icel. <ets>megin</ets>, and to E. <ets>may</ets>, v. <?/. See <er>May</er>, <tt>v.</tt>]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Strength; force; might; violent effort.</def> <mark>[Obs., except in certain phrases.]</mark>

<blockquote>There were in this battle of most might and <b>main</b>. <i>R. of Gl.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>He 'gan advance, With huge force, and with importable <b>main</b>. <i>Spenser.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>The chief or principal part; the main or most important thing.</def> <mark>[Obs., except in special uses.]</mark>

<blockquote>Resolved to rest upon the title of Lancaster as the <b>main</b>, and to use the other two . . . but as supporters. <i>Bacon.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> Specifically: <sd>(a)</sd> <def>The great sea, as distinguished from an arm, bay, etc. ; the high sea; the ocean.</def> "Struggling in the <i>main</i>." <i>Dryden</i>. <sd>(b)</sd> <def>The continent, as distinguished from an island; the mainland.</def> "Invaded the <i>main</i> of Spain." <i>Bacon</i>. <sd>(c)</sd> <def>principal duct or pipe, as distinguished from lesser ones; esp. <fld>(Engin.)</fld>, a principal pipe leading to or from a reservoir; <as>as, a fire <ex>main</ex></as>.</def>

<cs><col>Forcing main</col>, <cd>the delivery pipe of a pump.</cd> -- <mcol><col>For the main</col>, &or; <col>In the main</col></mcol>, <cd>for the most part; in the greatest part.</cd> -- <mcol><col>With might and main</col>, &or; <col>With all one's might and main</col></mcol>, <cd>with all one's strength; with violent effort.</cd></cs>

<blockquote><b>With might and main</b> they chased the murderous fox. <i>Dryden.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Main</h1> <Xpage=884>

<hw>Main</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[From <er>Main</er> strength, possibly influenced by OF. <ets>maine</ets>, <ets>magne</ets>, great, L. <ets>magnus</ets>. Cf. <er>Magnate</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Very or extremely strong.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>That current with <b>main</b> fury ran. <i>Daniel.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Vast; huge.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark> "The <i>main</i> abyss."

<i>Milton.</i>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>Unqualified; absolute; entire; sheer.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark> "It's a <i>man</i> untruth." <i>Sir W. Scott</i>.

<p><b>4.</b> <def>Principal; chief; first in size, rank, importance, etc.</def>

<blockquote>Our <b>main</b> interest is to be happy as we can. <i>Tillotson.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>5.</b> <def>Important; necessary.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>That which thou aright Believest so <b>main</b> to our success, I bring. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<cs><col>By main force</col>, <cd>by mere force or sheer force; by violent effort; <as>as, to subdue insurrection <ex>by main force<ex></as>.</cd></cs>

<blockquote>That Maine which <b>by main force</b> Warwick did win. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>