IN THE MAIN • DICTIONARY ONE.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

... is, however, that the early Christian leaders were, in the main, ardent advocates of celibacy. The social importance of marriage being ignored, its functions became those of ministering to sexual passion and the perpetuation of the race. In view of the supposed approaching end of the world, the desirability of this last was questioned, and in the name of purity ...

— Religion & Sex - Studies in the Pathology of Religious Development • Chapman Cohen

... Mr. Cleveland was, in the main, a very kind master, though somewhat hasty and impatient. Tom and he were for ever sparring, yet neither could have done without the other; and there was something comical about Tom's disposition which well suited ...

— Words of Cheer for the Tempted, the Toiling, and the Sorrowing • T. S. Arthur

... of this piece of coolness. His idea was to take the wave head-on and with his engines full speed ahead. And all the while he was thanking heaven he was not in the jam of traffic in the main canal. He rather, I think, overestimated the probable rush of waters; he dreaded being swept away, he explains, and smashed ...

— The World Set Free • Herbert George Wells

... mean to say, Wynnie, that he is sure of every thing,—I don't want to urge an unreasonable question,—but is he sure that the story of the New Testament is, in the main, actual fact? I should be very sorry to trouble your ...

— The Vicar's Daughter • George MacDonald

... the stations is very disheartening; tall warehouses, dingy brick houses, a ceaseless roar of carts and waggons in the main streets, and a population of which all the better dressed march at double quick time, with care-brent brows, and if pausing, only to exchange gruff ...

— Rides on Railways • Samuel Sidney

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