With might and main

Main Main, n. [AS. m[ae]gen strength, power, force; akin to OHG. magan, Icel. megin, and to E. may, v. [root]103. See {May}, v.] 1. Strength; force; might; violent effort. [Obs., except in certain phrases.] [1913 Webster]

There were in this battle of most might and main. --R. of Gl. [1913 Webster]

He 'gan advance, With huge force, and with importable main. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

2. The chief or principal part; the main or most important thing. [Obs., except in special uses.] [1913 Webster]

Resolved to rest upon the title of Lancaster as the main, and to use the other two . . . but as supporters. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

3. Specifically: (a) The great sea, as distinguished from an arm, bay, etc.; the high sea; the ocean. ``Struggling in the main.'' --Dryden. (b) The continent, as distinguished from an island; the mainland. ``Invaded the main of Spain.'' --Bacon. (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. [1913 Webster]

{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. [1913 Webster]

With might and main they chased the murderous fox. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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With might and main — Might Might, n. [AS. meaht, miht, from the root of magan to be able, E. may; akin to D. magt, OS. maht, G. macht, Icel. m[=a]ttr, Goth. mahts. [root]103. See {May}, v.] Force or power of any kind, whether of body or mind; energy or intensity of… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
with might and main — (with) might and main formal with all your effort and strength. War is something we should be working might and main to avoid … New idioms dictionary
with might and main — ► with might and main with all one s strength or power. Main Entry: ↑might … English terms dictionary
with might and main — {adv. phr.} With full strength or complete effort. * /The sailors pulled the rope with might and main./ * /John tried with all his might and main to solve the problem./ … Dictionary of American idioms
with might and main — {adv. phr.} With full strength or complete effort. * /The sailors pulled the rope with might and main./ * /John tried with all his might and main to solve the problem./ … Dictionary of American idioms
with\ might\ and\ main — adv. phr. With full strength or complete effort. The sailors pulled the rope with might and main. John tried with all his might and main to solve the problem … Словарь американских идиом
with might and main — WITH ALL ONE S STRENGTH, as hard as one can, as hard as possible, (with) full force, forcefully, powerfully, strongly, vigorously. → might * * * with all one s strength or power … Useful english dictionary
with might and main — with all one s strength or power. → might … English new terms dictionary
with might and main — with all the power, with all force … English contemporary dictionary
With all one's might and main — Main Main, n. [AS. m[ae]gen strength, power, force; akin to OHG. magan, Icel. megin, and to E. may, v. [root]103. See {May}, v.] 1. Strength; force; might; violent effort. [Obs., except in certain phrases.] [1913 Webster] There were in this… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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With might and main

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With might and main

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