Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun Nautical, that part of a ship's hold which lies near the main-hatch.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Before the voyage of the Mary Turner came to an end, Dag Daughtry, sitting down between the rows of water-casks in the main-hold, with a great laugh rechristened the schooner "the Ship of Fools."

    CHAPTER XI 2010

  • Fifty-odd boys signed on and were billeted in the main-hold, with the freedom of the deck, of course.

    THE INEVITABLE WHITE MAN 2010

  • To get out of his way I run forward, he followed me, and as I was running back he came up with me and threw me down the main-hold.

    American Prisoners of the Revolution Danske Dandridge

  • Before the voyage of the Mary Turner came to an end, Dag Daughtry, sitting down between the rows of water-casks in the main-hold, with a great laugh rechristened the schooner "the Ship of Fools."

    Chapter 11 1917

  • Fifty-odd boys signed on and were billeted in the main-hold, with the freedom of the deck, of course.

    The Inevitable White Man 1911

  • Fifty-odd boys signed on and were billeted in the main-hold, with the freedom of the deck, of course.

    South Sea Tales Jack London 1896

  • Fortunately, while unloading the cargo, a lot of pickaxes were found amongst the miscellaneous assortment of ` notions 'stowed in the main-hold; and these now came in handy, the hands learning to wield them just as if they had been born navvies, after a bit, under the experienced direction of Captain Snaggs, who said he had been a

    The Island Treasure 1887

  • Barry could not help taking his hand and giving it a kindly pressure; in two or three minutes the man had ceased to breathe, and his body was carried below into the main-hold to await burial on shore on the following morning; then Joe returned and reported that Rawlings and the

    Edward Barry South Sea Pearler Louis Becke 1884

  • None of the Solomon Islanders were visible, they all having taken up their quarters in the main-hold on top of the cases of pearl shell, where they had spread their rough mats of coconut leaf.

    Edward Barry South Sea Pearler Louis Becke 1884

  • They had not done much, he said, their leader having only just succeeded in breaking open the main-hold, and just beginning another attack on the cabin, when the report of the shell from the Blazer's pinnace as it burst made the pirates scramble overboard for their lives.

    Afloat at Last A Sailor Boy's Log of his Life at Sea William Heysham Overend 1874

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