A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1456-1596
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Main(e, Mayn(e, Ma(i)gne, Mane, a. [OF. maine, ma(i)gne, L. magnus.] Only in Charlis (the) maine, Charles the Great, Charlemagne. — 1456 Hay I. 217/10.
Gude King Charles Maigne and his successouris, kingis of Fraunce a1500 Taill of Rauf Coilȝear 205.
Gentill Charlis the mane 1535 Stewart 30478. 1535 Ib. 30507.
Chairlis the mane a1538 Abell 2* b. a1538 Ib. 14 b.
Chairlys the mayn 1552 Reg. Privy C. I. 129.
Sen the tyme of Achaus kyng of Scotland and Chairlis the maine king of France ? 1572 Maitland Satirical Poems xxxvi. 99. 1596 Dalr. I. 264/25.
Charles the magne
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"Main adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/maine_adj>
