main chancen.

Brit.

/ˈmeɪn ˌtʃɑːns/,

/ˈmeɪn ˌtʃans/, U.S.

/ˈmeɪn ˌtʃæns/

Forms: see main adj.² and chance n., adj., and adv.

Origin: Formed within English, by compounding. Etymons: main adj.², chance n.

Etymology: < main adj.² + chance n.; perhaps sometimes influenced by main n.²

†1. (a) The venture or course of action from which most is hoped; the likeliest course to obtain success. to stand to the main chance: to take a risk, see what fortune brings. to look (also have an eye, etc.) to the main chance: to use one's best endeavours, be solicitous (for some object). Obsolete. (b) The general probability with regard to a future event or the success of an undertaking. Obsolete. (c) The most important point risked or at stake; (also) the general outcome of a series of events; the whole fortunes of a person, a nation, etc. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > [noun] > chance or opportunity

chance1297

occasiona1382

opportunitya1387

fair play?a1500

main chance1577

venturea1625

opening1752

ettle1768

slant1837

sporting chance1897

open go1918

a fair crack of the whip1929

the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > [noun] > likeliest course to obtain success

main chance1577

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > [noun]

weenOE

likeliheadc1405

likelinessc1405

likelihood1427

probabilityc1443

probablenessc1443

likehood1525

towardness1549

main chance1577

towardliness1579

the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [noun] > that which is important > most important

moreOE

firstc1275

principala1393

chiefa1400

main chance1577

forefront1589

principal verb1602

centre of gravity1718

avatar1859

main stem1900

Big Apple1909

prima ballerina1923

centrepiece1937

society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > lack of magnanimity or noble-mindedness > self-interest > seek or look after one's own interest [verb (intransitive)]

to shift for oneselfa1513

to lick one's fingers1530

to lick the trencher1542

to serve one's (also one's own) turn1560

to have an eye to (also for) the main chance1584

to look (also have an eye, etc.) to the main chance1592

squint1642

to mind, provide for, be careful of the main chance1645

to fish for oneself1647

to scratch for oneself1850

to play politics1860

1577 R. Holinshed Hist. Scotl. 420/1 in Chron. I Nothing could be either more fond or foolish than to fight at pleasure of the enimie, and to set all on a maine chance at his wil and appoyntment.

1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 37^v Good Father either content your selfe wyth my choice [sc. of a husband], or let me stand to the maine chaunce.

1591 R. Greene Notable Discouery of Coosenage f. 9^v When their other trades fail..then to maintaine the main-chaunce, they vse the benefit of their wiues or frends.

1592 T. Nashe Strange Newes sig. M Haue an eie to the maine-chaunce, for no sooner shall they vnderstand what thou hast said by mee of them, but theyle goe neere to haue thee about the eares for this geare.

1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 (2nd issue) iii. i. 78 A man may prophecie, With a neere ayme of the maine chance of things, As yet not come to life.

1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. ix. xviii. 327 Every one should have lived and died according to the fatall course of his owne severall destinie, without the hazard of the whole and maine chance [L. summa rerum].

1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxi. xvi. 402 So ashamed in themselves they were,..and so mightily feared the losse of the verie maine chance at home, as if the enemie had beene already at the gates of the cittie.

1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 22 With whom the Romans for many yeeres maintained war,..for the very main-chance of life and living.

1625 S. Purchas Pilgrimes ii. 1822 It behoued the Bashaw to looke to the main chance for the quenching of the Fire.

1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. iii. 2 Yet withall he was carefull of the main chance to keep the essentials of his Crown.

1695 J. Collier Misc. upon Moral Subj. 64 None so fit to prescribe; to direct the Enterprize, and secure the Main Chance.

2. Something which is of principal importance in life; a livelihood; (now) esp. the opportunity of enriching or otherwise benefiting oneself. Often in to have an eye to (also for) the main chance: to have consideration for one's own interests; also to mind, provide for, be careful of the main chance.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [noun] > that which is important > most important > in life

main chance1584

the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [noun] > that which is important > most important > other

main chance1584

all the world1600

masterworkc1606

state1656

foreground1817

axis1818

big one1924

society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > lack of magnanimity or noble-mindedness > self-interest > seek or look after one's own interest [verb (intransitive)]

to shift for oneselfa1513

to lick one's fingers1530

to lick the trencher1542

to serve one's (also one's own) turn1560

to have an eye to (also for) the main chance1584

to look (also have an eye, etc.) to the main chance1592

squint1642

to mind, provide for, be careful of the main chance1645

to fish for oneself1647

to scratch for oneself1850

to play politics1860

society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > lack of magnanimity or noble-mindedness > self-interest > [noun] > personal benefit or advantage

commodity1410

singularity1426

commodomec1547

particularityc1550

commodie1575

main chance1584

self-good1594

self-interest1595

job1680

1584 R. Wilson Three Ladies of London i. sig. E ij b Trust me thou art as craftie to haue an eye to the mayne chaunce: As the Taylor that out of seuen yardes stole one and a halfe of durance.

1645 J. Howell Epistolæ Ho-elianæ iv. viii. 8 [Bacon] scarce left money..which..did argue no great Wisdom, it being one of the essentiall properties of a Wiseman to provide for the main chance.

a1656 Bp. J. Hall Shaking of Olive-tree (1660) ii. 136 Shall we be lesse carefull of the main-chance, even of the eternal inheritance of Heaven?

1695 J. Collier Misc. upon Moral Subj. 128 Wise Men will..take care of the main Chance, and provide for Accidents and Age.

1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron I. ii. xx. 128 Bubalion..thinks himself wise, and passeth for one that minds the main chance.

1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 116. ⁋6 My Master..had all the good qualities which naturally arise from a close and unwearied attention to the main chance.

1767 T. Gray Let. 5 Nov. in Corr. (1971) III. 979 Come quickly, if the main chance will suffer you, or I will know the reason why.

1796 F. Burney Camilla III. vi. xi. 371 The main chance is all that is worth thinking of.

1828 Lights & Shades Eng. Life II. 159 A Scotchman looks only to the main-chance.

1865 Leaves from Diary Celebrated Burglar 108 The parents..never objected to their sprout showing himself handy in looking after the main chance.

1902 L. Stephen Stud. of Biographer IV. i. 36 It..cannot be said that an eye for the main chance is inconsistent with the poetical character.

1933 L. Strachey Characters & Comm. i. ii. 13 The precept ‘il faut cultiver notre jardin’ has come down to the degenerate descendants of Candide in the form of ‘Have an eye to the main chance’—a very different exhortation.

1988 R. Christiansen Romantic Affinities iii. 111 Imlay was a man to grab at the main chance, ever ready to drop his scruples.

Derivatives

main ˈchancer n. an opportunist, a person who has an eye to the main chance.

ΘΚΠ

society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > lack of magnanimity or noble-mindedness > self-interest > [noun] > self-interested person

propertarya1425

proprietary?c1450

self-seeker1585

turn-server1611

propriétaire1789

axe-grinder1884

main chancer1940

1940 ‘N. Blake’ Malice in Wonderland i. vii. 95 There was a terrific row on the local council... Beauty-snobs versus main-chancers.

1990 New Scientist 6 Jan. 61/2 The section on aspects of community life..would seem to be required reading for main-chancers—gifted main-chancers of course, who have had the vision to get a degree from a major university.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2000; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	main chance
释义	main chancen. Brit. /ˈmeɪn ˌtʃɑːns/, /ˈmeɪn ˌtʃans/, U.S. /ˈmeɪn ˌtʃæns/ Forms: see main adj.² and chance n., adj., and adv. Origin: Formed within English, by compounding. Etymons: main adj.², chance n. Etymology: < main adj.² + chance n.; perhaps sometimes influenced by main n.² †1. (a) The venture or course of action from which most is hoped; the likeliest course to obtain success. to stand to the main chance: to take a risk, see what fortune brings. to look (also have an eye, etc.) to the main chance: to use one's best endeavours, be solicitous (for some object). Obsolete. (b) The general probability with regard to a future event or the success of an undertaking. Obsolete. (c) The most important point risked or at stake; (also) the general outcome of a series of events; the whole fortunes of a person, a nation, etc. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > [noun] > chance or opportunity chance1297 occasiona1382 opportunitya1387 fair play?a1500 main chance1577 venturea1625 opening1752 ettle1768 slant1837 sporting chance1897 open go1918 a fair crack of the whip1929 the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > [noun] > likeliest course to obtain success main chance1577 the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > [noun] weenOE likeliheadc1405 likelinessc1405 likelihood1427 probabilityc1443 probablenessc1443 likehood1525 towardness1549 main chance1577 towardliness1579 the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [noun] > that which is important > most important moreOE firstc1275 principala1393 chiefa1400 main chance1577 forefront1589 principal verb1602 centre of gravity1718 avatar1859 main stem1900 Big Apple1909 prima ballerina1923 centrepiece1937 society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > lack of magnanimity or noble-mindedness > self-interest > seek or look after one's own interest [verb (intransitive)] to shift for oneselfa1513 to lick one's fingers1530 to lick the trencher1542 to serve one's (also one's own) turn1560 to have an eye to (also for) the main chance1584 to look (also have an eye, etc.) to the main chance1592 squint1642 to mind, provide for, be careful of the main chance1645 to fish for oneself1647 to scratch for oneself1850 to play politics1860 1577 R. Holinshed Hist. Scotl. 420/1 in Chron. I Nothing could be either more fond or foolish than to fight at pleasure of the enimie, and to set all on a maine chance at his wil and appoyntment. 1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 37^v Good Father either content your selfe wyth my choice [sc. of a husband], or let me stand to the maine chaunce. 1591 R. Greene Notable Discouery of Coosenage f. 9^v When their other trades fail..then to maintaine the main-chaunce, they vse the benefit of their wiues or frends. 1592 T. Nashe Strange Newes sig. M Haue an eie to the maine-chaunce, for no sooner shall they vnderstand what thou hast said by mee of them, but theyle goe neere to haue thee about the eares for this geare. 1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 (2nd issue) iii. i. 78 A man may prophecie, With a neere ayme of the maine chance of things, As yet not come to life. 1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. ix. xviii. 327 Every one should have lived and died according to the fatall course of his owne severall destinie, without the hazard of the whole and maine chance [L. summa rerum]. 1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxi. xvi. 402 So ashamed in themselves they were,..and so mightily feared the losse of the verie maine chance at home, as if the enemie had beene already at the gates of the cittie. 1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 22 With whom the Romans for many yeeres maintained war,..for the very main-chance of life and living. 1625 S. Purchas Pilgrimes ii. 1822 It behoued the Bashaw to looke to the main chance for the quenching of the Fire. 1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. iii. 2 Yet withall he was carefull of the main chance to keep the essentials of his Crown. 1695 J. Collier Misc. upon Moral Subj. 64 None so fit to prescribe; to direct the Enterprize, and secure the Main Chance. 2. Something which is of principal importance in life; a livelihood; (now) esp. the opportunity of enriching or otherwise benefiting oneself. Often in to have an eye to (also for) the main chance: to have consideration for one's own interests; also to mind, provide for, be careful of the main chance. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [noun] > that which is important > most important > in life main chance1584 the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [noun] > that which is important > most important > other main chance1584 all the world1600 masterworkc1606 state1656 foreground1817 axis1818 big one1924 society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > lack of magnanimity or noble-mindedness > self-interest > seek or look after one's own interest [verb (intransitive)] to shift for oneselfa1513 to lick one's fingers1530 to lick the trencher1542 to serve one's (also one's own) turn1560 to have an eye to (also for) the main chance1584 to look (also have an eye, etc.) to the main chance1592 squint1642 to mind, provide for, be careful of the main chance1645 to fish for oneself1647 to scratch for oneself1850 to play politics1860 society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > lack of magnanimity or noble-mindedness > self-interest > [noun] > personal benefit or advantage commodity1410 singularity1426 commodomec1547 particularityc1550 commodie1575 main chance1584 self-good1594 self-interest1595 job1680 1584 R. Wilson Three Ladies of London i. sig. E ij b Trust me thou art as craftie to haue an eye to the mayne chaunce: As the Taylor that out of seuen yardes stole one and a halfe of durance. 1645 J. Howell Epistolæ Ho-elianæ iv. viii. 8 [Bacon] scarce left money..which..did argue no great Wisdom, it being one of the essentiall properties of a Wiseman to provide for the main chance. a1656 Bp. J. Hall Shaking of Olive-tree (1660) ii. 136 Shall we be lesse carefull of the main-chance, even of the eternal inheritance of Heaven? 1695 J. Collier Misc. upon Moral Subj. 128 Wise Men will..take care of the main Chance, and provide for Accidents and Age. 1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron I. ii. xx. 128 Bubalion..thinks himself wise, and passeth for one that minds the main chance. 1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 116. ⁋6 My Master..had all the good qualities which naturally arise from a close and unwearied attention to the main chance. 1767 T. Gray Let. 5 Nov. in Corr. (1971) III. 979 Come quickly, if the main chance will suffer you, or I will know the reason why. 1796 F. Burney Camilla III. vi. xi. 371 The main chance is all that is worth thinking of. 1828 Lights & Shades Eng. Life II. 159 A Scotchman looks only to the main-chance. 1865 Leaves from Diary Celebrated Burglar 108 The parents..never objected to their sprout showing himself handy in looking after the main chance. 1902 L. Stephen Stud. of Biographer IV. i. 36 It..cannot be said that an eye for the main chance is inconsistent with the poetical character. 1933 L. Strachey Characters & Comm. i. ii. 13 The precept ‘il faut cultiver notre jardin’ has come down to the degenerate descendants of Candide in the form of ‘Have an eye to the main chance’—a very different exhortation. 1988 R. Christiansen Romantic Affinities iii. 111 Imlay was a man to grab at the main chance, ever ready to drop his scruples. Derivatives main ˈchancer n. an opportunist, a person who has an eye to the main chance. ΘΚΠ society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > lack of magnanimity or noble-mindedness > self-interest > [noun] > self-interested person propertarya1425 proprietary?c1450 self-seeker1585 turn-server1611 propriétaire1789 axe-grinder1884 main chancer1940 1940 ‘N. Blake’ Malice in Wonderland i. vii. 95 There was a terrific row on the local council... Beauty-snobs versus main-chancers. 1990 New Scientist 6 Jan. 61/2 The section on aspects of community life..would seem to be required reading for main-chancers—gifted main-chancers of course, who have had the vision to get a degree from a major university. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2000; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < n.1577
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