English Explanatory Dictionary

amain

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adv
  1. With all of one's might; mightily; forcefully, violently.
  2. At full speed; also, in great haste.
  3. Out of control.
  4. Exceedingly; overmuch.
verb
  1. To lower (the sail of a ship, particularly the topsail).
  2. To decrease or reduce (something).
  3. To lower the topsail in token of surrender; to yield.

Pronunciation

/əˈmeɪn/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-I learned some phrases-amain.wav

Word forms

amain more amain most amain amaine amains amaining amained

Etymology

From a- (prefix with the sense ‘at; in; on; with’, used to show a state, condition, or manner) + main (“force, power, strength”). Main is derived from Middle English mayn (“strength”), from Old English mæġen (“strength”), from Proto-Germanic *maginą (“might, power, strength”), *maginaz (“strong”), from Proto-Indo-European *megʰ- (“to be able”).

Related words

main mainly might and main
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