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Main

1. Very or extremely strong. That current with main fury ran. (Daniel)

2. Vast; huge. The main abyss.

3. Unqualified; absolute; entire; sheer. It's a man untruth. .

4. Principal; chief; first in size, rank, importance, etc. Our main interest is to be happy as we can. (Tillotson)

5. Important; necessary. 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, the principal or true keel of a vessel, as distinguished from the false keel.

Synonym: principal, chief, leading, cardinal, capital.

Origin: From main strength, possibly influenced by OF. Maine, magne, great, L. Magnus. Cf. Magnate.