Английский Этимологический словарь - main

- O.E. mжgen (n.) "power, strength, force," probably infl. by O.N. megenn (adj.) "strong, powerful," both from P.Gmc. *mag- "be able, have power" (see may). Sense of "large" is older in Eng., meaning "chief" is 15c. Meaning "principal channel in a utility system" is first recorded 1727 in main drain; Used since 1548 for "continuous stretch of land or water;" in Spanish Main the word is short for mainland and refers to the coast between Panama and Orinoco. mainstay "chief support" (1787) is figurative use of a nautical noun; figurative use of mainstream dates to 1831. Main Line "affluent area of residence" is 1930s, originally that of Philadelphia, from the "main line" of the Pennsylvania Railroad which added local stops to a string of backwater towns west of the city late 19c. that helped turn them into fashionable suburbs.