amain

[ uh-meyn ]
See synonyms for amain on Thesaurus.com
adverbArchaic.
  1. with full force.

  2. at full speed.

  1. suddenly; hastily.

  2. exceedingly; greatly.

Origin of amain

1
First recorded in 1530–40; a-1 + main1

Words Nearby amain

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use amain in a sentence

  • The Engagement then grew desperate, for they on either Side fired in amain, whilst we withstood their Force.

    The City Bride (1696) | Joseph Harris
  • amain I did for the horse what I would neither do for earl or baron, doffed my hat; yes!

    Lavengro | George Borrow
  • On Astur's throat Horatius right firmly press'd his heel, And thrice and four times tugg'd amain, ere he wrench'd outthe steel.

  • So the lady gave Sir Launcelot the halter rein, weeping amain as she did so.

  • No sooner had the lads scampered away, making the vast grove ring amain to their acclaims, than I began my preparations.

    Fibble, D. D. | Irvin Shrewsbury Cobb

British Dictionary definitions for amain

amain

/ (əˈmeɪn) /


adverb
  1. archaic, or poetic with great strength, speed, or haste

Origin of amain

1
C16: from a- ² + main 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012