main
1. main \'ma-n\ n [in sense 1, fr. ME, fr. OE maegen; akin to OHG magan
strength, OE]magan to be able; in other senses, fr. 2main or by shortening
- more at MAY 1: physical strength : FORCE - used in the phrase with might
a nd main 2a: MAINLAND 2b: HIGH SEA 3: the chief part : essential point
4: a pipe, duct, or circuit to or from which lead tributary branches of a u
tility system and which carries their combined flow 5a: MAINMAST 5b:
MAINSAIL
2. main aj [ME, fr. OE maegen-, fr. maegen strength] 1a: OUTSTANDING,
CONSPICUOUS 1b: CHIEF, PRINCIPAL 2: fully exerted : SHEER {~ force by ~
strength} obs 3: of or relating to a broad expanse (as of sea) 4:
connected with or located near the mainmast or mainsail 5: expressing the
chief predication in a complex sentence {the ~ c lause}
3. main n [prob. fr. 2main] 1: a number exceeding four and not exceeding
nine called by the caster in t he game of hazard before throwing 2: a
cockfight series consisting of an odd number of matches