main : Idioms & Phrases

• adjective satellite used of a radio receiver that is adaptable to all voltages
  
  • an all-mains set

WordNet

• 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.

Webster 1913

• by sheer strength; as, to lift a heavy weight by main strength.

Webster 1913

• noun an attack without warning
  surprise attack.
  

WordNet

• F. (Mil.), a sudden and unexpected movement or attack.

Webster 1913

• noun a main that distributes electricity
  

WordNet

• a pipe for water, to be used in putting out fire.

Webster 1913

• for the most part; in the greatest part.

Webster 1913

• the delivery pipe of a pump.

Webster 1913

• noun a German city; an industrial and commercial and financial center
  Frankfurt; Frankfort.
  

WordNet

• noun a main that distributes gas
  

WordNet

• (Gas Works), a horizontal pipe containing water at the bottom into which the ends of the pipes from the retorts dip, for passing the gas through water in order to remove ammonia.

Webster 1913

• adverb for the most part
  principally; mainly; chiefly; primarily.
  
  • he is mainly interested in butterflies
• adverb without distinction of one from others
  in general; generally.
  
  • he is interested in snakes in general

WordNet

• (Steam Engine), working beam.

Webster 1913

• (Naut.), the boom which extends the foot of the mainsail in a fore and aft vessel.

Webster 1913

• . (a) (Mech.) The brace which resists the chief strain. Cf. Counter brace. (b) (Naut.) The brace attached to the main yard.

Webster 1913

• (Steam Engine), a shaft upon which a working beam or side lever swings.

Webster 1913

• . See under Chance.

Webster 1913

• noun a clause in a complex sentence that can stand alone as a complete sentence
  independent clause.
  

WordNet

• (Arch.), the principal truss in a roof.

Webster 1913

• noun the principal dish of a meal
  entree.
  
• noun a square mainsail
  

WordNet

• noun the uppermost sheltered deck that runs the entire length of a large vessel
  second deck.
  

WordNet

• (Naut.), the deck next below the spar deck; the principal deck.

Webster 1913

• noun the diagonal of a square matrix running from the upper left entry to the lower right entry
  principal diagonal.
  

WordNet

• noun the main street of a town or city
  

WordNet

• noun the form of a word that heads a lexical entry and is alphabetized in a dictionary
  citation form; entry word.
  

WordNet

• noun (computer science) a computer file that is used as the authority in a given job and that is relatively permanent
  master file.
  

WordNet

• (Naut.), the principal or true keel of a vessel, as distinguished from the false keel.

Webster 1913

• noun the principal route of a transportation system
  

WordNet

• noun (usually plural) the office that serves as the administrative center of an enterprise
  central office; home office; headquarters; home base.
  
  • many companies have their headquarters in New York

WordNet

• noun a major road for any form of motor transport
  highway.
  

WordNet

• noun rotor consisting of large rotating airfoils on a single-rotor helicopter that produce the lift to support the helicopter in the air
  

WordNet

• noun street that serves as a principal thoroughfare for traffic in a town
  high street.
  
• noun any small town (or the people who inhabit it); generally used to represent parochialism and materialism (after a novel by Sinclair Lewis)
  
  • Main Street will never vote for a liberal politician

WordNet

• noun yard for a square mainsail
  

WordNet

Main" yard`

Definitions

1. (Naut.) The yard on which the mainsail is extended, supported by the mainmast.

Webster 1913

Main`-gauche" noun

Etymology

F., the left hand.

Definitions

1. (Ancient Armor) The dagger held in the left hand, while the rapier is held in the right; -- used to parry thrusts of the adversary's rapier.

Webster 1913

Main"-ham`per noun

Etymology

F. main hand (see Main a hand at dice) + E. hamper.

Definitions

1. A hamper to be carried in the hand; a hand basket used in carrying grapes to the press.

Webster 1913

• noun the topmast next above the mainmast
  

WordNet

• noun a topsail set on the mainmast
  

WordNet

• . Ouster + F. la main the hand, L. manus. (Law) A delivery of lands out of the hands of a guardian, or out of the king's hands, or a judgement given for that purpose.

Webster 1913

• noun a vertical pipe in a building
  riser; riser pipe; riser pipeline.
  

WordNet

• (Waterworks), the pipe through which water from an engine is delivered to an elevated reservoir.

Webster 1913

• noun a main in a sewage system
  sewer line.
  

WordNet

• the name formerly given to the southern portion of the Caribbean Sea, together with the contiguous coast, embracing the route traversed by Spanish treasure ships from the New to the Old World.

Webster 1913

• the chief opportunity; that upon which reliance is had, esp. self-interest.

Webster 1913

• (Naut.), to give out, or drink, an extra allowance of spirits on occasion of special exposure to wet or cold, or to severe fatigue; hence, to take a dram.

Webster 1913

• noun main (a pipe or conduit) for conveying water
  

WordNet

• . See under 2d Main.

Webster 1913

• with all one's strength; with violent effort.

Webster 1913