Word: main Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English mayn, main, maine, mæine, mæȝen, from Old English mæġen (“strength”), from Proto-Germanic *maginą (“strength, power, might”), *maginaz (“strong”), from Proto-Indo-European *megʰ- (“be able”). The word is cognate with Old High German magen, megin, Old Norse magn, megn, megin, Old Saxon megin. More recent senses are derived from the adjective. Pronunciation: /meɪn/ 1. That which is chief or principal; the chief or main portion; the bulk, the greater part, gross. Example: Antiochus […] thought it a proper time for him to attempt the recovery of Syria; and Hermias his prime Miniſter preſſed hard for his going in perſon to this war, contrary to the Opinion of Epigenes his General; who thought it chiefly concerned him to ſuppreſs the Rebellion of Alexander and Molon in the East; and therefore adviſed him to march immediately in perſon with the main of his Army for the ſubduing of thoſe Rebels, before they ſhould gather greater ſtrength in the revolted Provinces againſt him. Example: But the King [Henry VII of England], […] preferring his affection to his own line and blood, […] resolved to rest upon the title of Lancaster as the main, and to use the other two, that of marriage, and that of battle, but as supporters, the one to appease secret discontents, and the other to beat down open murmur and dispute; […] 2. That which is chief or principal; the chief or main portion; the bulk, the greater part, gross. Example: My WoW main has reached level cap and I’m on my way getting my first alt there as well. 3. That which is chief or principal; the chief or main portion; the bulk, the greater part, gross. Labels: Internet Example: His main got banned after his last post. 4. A large cable or pipe providing utility service to an area or a building, such as a water main or electric main. Example: There's a gas leak in the main outside the building. Example: [T]he Contract with the Pipe-water Pavior was, as he recollects, to keep the Pavement in Repair for ſix Weeks; did oblige the Contractor to repair many Places in that ſix Weeks; there was a Part of the new Main failed in Dame-ſtreet; was obliged to take up three or four Pieces in Length, in conſequence of a Sewer being made there, which undermined the Main, and put it out of its Place; […] 5. Ellipsis of main course (“the principal dish of a meal”). Labels: abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis, informal Example: I had scampi and chips for my main and a slice of cheesecake for dessert. 6. The high seas. Labels: poetic Example: Who ſhall him rew, that ſwimming in the maine, / Will die for thriſt, and water doth refuſe? / Refuſe ſuch fruitleſſe toile, and preſent pleaſures chuſe. Example: The God, inſulting with ſuperiour Strength, / Fell heavy on him, plung'd him in the Sea, / And, with the Stern, the Rudder tore away, / Headlong he fell, and, ſtrugling in the Main, / Cry'd out for helping hands, but cry'd in vain: […] 7. The mainland. Labels: US, archaic, dialectal Example: In the year that followed of 1589, we gave the Spaniards no breath, but turned challengers, invaded the main of Spain. In which enterprize, although we failed of our end, which was to ſettle Don Antonio in the kingdom of Portugal, yet a man ſhall hardly meet with an action that doth better reveal the great ſecret of the power of Spain: […] Example: No man is an Iland, intire of it ſelfe; euery man is a peece of the Continent, a part of the maine; […] 8. Ellipsis of mainsail. Labels: abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis 9. Force, power, strength, violent effort. Labels: obsolete Example: For with ſuch puiſſance and impetuous maine / Thoſe Champions broke on them, that forſt the fly, / Like ſcattered Sheepe, whenas the Shepherds ſwaine / A Lyon and a Tigre doth eſpye, / With greedy pace forth ruſhing from the foreſt nye.