{ } n. [ OF. Aleman, F. Allemand, fr. L. Alemanni, ancient Ger. tribes. ] [ Obs. ] 1. A German. Also adj., German. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The German language. J. Foxe. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A kind of dance. See Allemande. [ 1913 Webster ]

Almain rivets,
Almayne rivets, or
Alman rivets, a sort of light armor from Germany, characterized by overlapping plates, arranged to slide on rivets, and thus afford great flexibility. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. [ Pref. a- + main. See 2d Main, n. ] 1. With might; with full force; vigorously; violently; exceedingly. [ 1913 Webster ]

They on the hill, which were not yet come to blows, perceiving the fewness of their enemies, came down amain. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

That striping giant, ill-bred and scoffing, shouts amain. T. Parker. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. At full speed; in great haste; also, at once. “They fled amain.” Holinshed. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ F. amener. See Amenable. ] (Naut.) To lower, as a sail, a yard, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. (Naut.) To lower the topsail, in token of surrender; to yield. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. [ Pref. a- + main. See 2d Main, n. ] 1. With might; with full force; vigorously; violently; exceedingly. [ 1913 Webster ]

They on the hill, which were not yet come to blows, perceiving the fewness of their enemies, came down amain. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

That striping giant, ill-bred and scoffing, shouts amain. T. Parker. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. At full speed; in great haste; also, at once. “They fled amain.” Holinshed. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ F. amener. See Amenable. ] (Naut.) To lower, as a sail, a yard, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. (Naut.) To lower the topsail, in token of surrender; to yield. [ 1913 Webster ]