Main keel

Main Main (m[=a]n), a. [From {Main} strength, possibly influenced by OF. maine, magne, great, L. magnus. Cf. {Magnate}.] 1. Very or extremely strong. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

That current with main fury ran. --Daniel. [1913 Webster]

2. Vast; huge. [Obs.] ``The main abyss.'' --Milton. [1913 Webster]

3. Unqualified; absolute; entire; sheer. [Obs.] ``It's a man untruth.'' --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]

4. Principal; chief; first in size, rank, importance, etc.; as, the main reason to go; the main proponent. [1913 Webster +PJC]

Our main interest is to be happy as we can. --Tillotson. [1913 Webster]

5. Important; necessary. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

That which thou aright Believest so main to our success, I bring. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

{By main force}, by mere force or sheer force; by violent effort; as, to subdue insurrection by main force. [1913 Webster]

That Maine which by main force Warwick did win. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

{By main strength}, by sheer strength; as, to lift a heavy weight by main strength.

{Main beam} (Steam Engine), working beam.

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

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

{Main center} (Steam Engine), a shaft upon which a working beam or side lever swings.

{Main chance}. See under {Chance}.

{Main couple} (Arch.), the principal truss in a roof.

{Main deck} (Naut.), the deck next below the spar deck; the principal deck.

{Main keel} (Naut.), the principal or true keel of a vessel, as distinguished from the false keel. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Principal; chief; leading; cardinal; capital. [1913 Webster]