IN THE MAIN • FREE-TRANSLATOR.COM • Definition of In the main

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/ɪn ðə meɪn/ Listen

noun

Main n.

1.

Strength; force; might; violent effort. (Obs., except in certain phrases.) "There were in this battle of most might and main." "He 'gan advance, With huge force, and with importable main."

2.

The chief or principal part; the main or most important thing. (Obs., except in special uses.) "Resolved to rest upon the title of Lancaster as the main, and to use the other two... but as supporters."

3.

Specifically:

(a)

The great sea, as distinguished from an arm, bay, etc.; the high sea; the ocean. "Struggling in the main."

(b)

The continent, as distinguished from an island; the mainland. "Invaded the main of Spain."

(c)

Principal duct or pipe, as distinguished from lesser ones; esp. (Engin.), a principal pipe leading to or from a reservoir; as, a fire main.

Forcing main, the delivery pipe of a pump.

For the main, or In the main, for the most part; in the greatest part.

With might and main, or With all one's might and main, with all one's strength; with violent effort. "With might and main they chased the murderous fox."

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Etymology of 'In the main'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"In the main" Quotes from Famous Books

... Beaumont-le-Roger is a poor place to visit. Not only is it a charming, I may say a fascinating spot to visit, but it is also a place in which to stay, for the longer you remain there the less do you like the idea of leaving. The church of St Nicholas standing in the main street where it becomes much wider and forms a small Place, is a beautiful old building whose mellow colours on stone-work and tiles glow vividly on a sunny afternoon. There is a great stone wall ...

— Normandy, Complete - The Scenery & Romance Of Its Ancient Towns • Gordon Home

... the lagoon, we arrived at the Fisheries Building. In the main edifice we first saw fishing-tackles, nets, and other apparatuses used by fishermen, and shown by the American Net and Twine Co. The contiguous space to the right was given up to the exhibits of several States in the Union, especially noted for fisheries, ...

— By Water to the Columbian Exposition • Johanna S. Wisthaler

... never verbose, but always perspicuous. As a lawyer, he was well read; and the analytical character of his mind appeared to have been formed upon the model of Judge Blackstone. Before the juries of the country he was all-powerful. These, in the main, were composed of men of very limited information—and especially of legal lore. But they were generally men of strong practical sense, with an honest purpose of doing justice between man and man. Cobb with these was always sincere; never attempting a deception, ...

— The Memories of Fifty Years • William H. Sparks

... has followed, in the main, the last edition of Webster's Unabridged, the etymologies in which carry the authoritative sanction of Dr. Mahn; but reference has constantly been had to the works of Wedgwood, Latham, and Haldeman, as also to the "English Etymology" of Dr. James Douglass, ...

— New Word-Analysis - Or, School Etymology of English Derivative Words • William Swinton

... with a strong party, burst in the door and carry off the captive. They might then regard themselves as done with the Good Hope; it had placed them on the rear of their enemies; and the retreat, whether they should succeed or fail in the main enterprise, would be directed with a greater measure of hope in the direction of the forest and my ...

— The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 8 (of 25) • Robert Louis Stevenson

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