main etymology

Etymology

The word "main" derives from the Old French term "mein" or "maen," meaning "great" or "strong." This, in turn, evolved from the Latin word "magnus," which carries the same meaning.

Meaning

The main is a noun and adjective with several meanings:

• Noun:
  • The most important or significant part of something.
  • The primary or central point.
  • The main body of water, such as a river or ocean.
• Adjective:
  • Chief, principal, or leading.
  • Important or essential.
  • Strong or powerful.

Origin

The word "main" has its origins in Indo-European languages:

• Proto-Indo-European: meg-/magh-, meaning "great"
• Sanskrit: mahant ("great")
• Greek: megas ("great")
• Latin: magnus ("great")
• Old French: mein, maen ("great," "strong")

The word "main" entered the English language around the 12th century via Old French.

main relate terms

• mainland

  Etymology From Middle English mayneland c 1440 from Anglo Norman French mainelande

• main

  Etymology The word main derives from the Old French term mein or maen meaning gre

• land

  Etymology Old English land Proto Germanic landuz Indo European lendh to li

• amain

  Etymology The word amain is derived from the Middle English phrase a mayn which in

• main

  Etymology The word main derives from the Old French term mein or maen meaning gre

• afoot

  Etymology Middle English afote from Old English on fōte on on upon fōt fo

• independent

  Etymology Derived from the Latin word independens meaning not dependent or self g

• chief

  Etymology of Chief The word chief comes from the Old French word chief which in tu

• primary

  Etymology Latin prīmārius from prīmus first Meaning First in importance ra

• highway

  Etymology The word highway is derived from the Old English words hēah high and w

• previous

  Etymology The word previous comes from the Old French word previeus which is derived

• legerdemain

  Etymology French léger de main light of hand Latin levis light manus han

• principal

  Etymology From Middle French principal from Latin principalis from princeps prince

• dependent

  Etymology The word dependent comes from the Latin verb dependere which means to han

• master

  Etymology The word master comes from the Old French word maistre which in turn comes

• stream

  Etymology The word stream comes from the Middle English word strem which in turn der