in the main : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: in the main	by the DICT Development Group
2 results for in the main
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
in the main adv for the most part; "he is mainly interested in butterflies" Synonym(s): chiefly, principally, primarily, mainly, in the main without distinction of one from others; "he is interested in snakes in general" Synonym(s): generally, in general, in the main Antonym(s): specifically
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Main \Main\, n. [AS. m[91]gen strength, power, force; akin to OHG. magan, Icel. megin, and to E. may, v. [?]. See {May}, v.] 1. Strength; force; might; violent effort. [Obs., except in certain phrases.] There were in this battle of most might and main. --R. of Gl. He 'gan advance, With huge force, and with importable main. --Spenser. 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. --Bacon. 3. Specifically: (a) The great sea, as distinguished from an arm, bay, etc.; the high sea; the ocean. [bd]Struggling in the main.[b8] --Dryden. (b) The continent, as distinguished from an island; the mainland. [bd]Invaded the main of Spain.[b8] --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. {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. --Dryden.