'By main strength' definitions:

Definition of 'By main strength'

From: GCIDE
  • 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]