main, mein, mayne

& adv. [A. S. mægen= strength; cogn. with Icel. meg in. From the same root as may, v. (q. v.).] A. A ubst .: Strength, force, violent effort. (Only used now in the phrase, with might and main .) "With huge force and insupportable mayne." Spenser: F. Q., L. vii. 11. B. As adj .: Very, exceedingly, greatly. (Compare the similar use of mighty , mightily .) ( Vulgar .) "I must be main cautious."- A . Murphy : The Appren tice , i. 1. main-lỹ, *main-lie, adv. [Eng. main, a; -ly.] 1. Principally, chiefly, for the most part. "To intend and design his own glory mainly ."- Ray : On the Creation , pt. ii. 2, Greatly; to or in a great degree. 3. Strongly. "Still she eyes him mainlie." Beaum. & Flet.: Mad Lover, iii. 1. main-õr, *māin-oûr, s. [Norm. Fr. mainoure , manour; O. Fr. manævre, manœuvre = work of the hands.]. A thing taken or stolen which is found in the hands of the person taking or stealing it. [MANŒUVRE.] "All offenders against vert and venison, who may be attached by their bodies, if taken with the mainour (or main oeuvre, a manu ), that is, in the very act of killing venison or stealing wood, or preparing so to do, or by fresh and immediate pursuit after the act is done." Black stone: Comment., bk. iii., ch. 6. To be taken with the mainour : To be caught in the very act of stealing, . main-pern-a-ble, a . [Fr. main =the hand, and O. Fr. pernable (for prenable ) =that may be taken; prendre to take.] Capable of being admitted to give surety by mainpernors; capable of being main prized; bailable. main-pèrn-or, *main-pern-õur, s . [Fr. main =the hand, and Ó. Fr. pern or (for preneur )=one who takes prendre to take.] A bail; a surety for a prisoner's appearance in court. A man's main pernors differed from his bail in this respect, that they could not imprison him to prevent his decamping, which his bail can do. "The lord iustice verelie took the advantage of the bond against the main pern ours."-Holinshea: Ireland (an. 1343.)