main-ward, mainward
[main a.]
† 1. The main body of an army. Obs.
| 1563–87 Foxe A. & M. (1596) 46/2 As well my vaward, main⁓ward, as rereward. 1581 Styward Mart. Discipl. ii. 122 The which..are to be diuided into three battailes: the Voward, the Maineward, and the Rereward battaile. 1591 Garrard's Art Warre 184 When the fronts were wearied the Mainward and Rereward succeeded. |
2. The principal ward of a lock, fastened to the main-plate.
| 1677 Moxon Mech. Exerc. No. 2. 23 The true Place of the Main-ward. 1688 R. Holme Armoury iii. 301/2 The Maine ward [of a key] is that on the lower side the Bit. 1875 Knight Dict. Mech. 1339/1, G is a ward-lock key..The various parts are,—a, the main-ward, or bridge-ward. |