Note: Mainpernors differ from bail in that a man's bail may imprison or surrender him before the stipulated day of appearance; mainpernors can do neither; they are bound to produce him to answer all charges whatsoever. Blackstone.
MAINPIN
Main"pin, n. (Vehicles)
Defn: A kingbolt.
MAINPRISE Main"prise, n. Etym: [F. main hand + prise a taking, fr. prendre, p. p. pris to take, fr. L. prehendere, prehensum.] (Law) (a) A writ directed to the sheriff, commanding him to take sureties, called mainpernors, for the prisoner's appearance, and to let him go at large. This writ is now obsolete. Wharton. (b) Deliverance of a prisoner on security for his appearance at a day.
MAINPRISE
Main"prise, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mainprised; p. pr. & vb. n.
Mainprising.] (Law)
Defn: To suffer to go at large, on his finding sureties, or mainpernors, for his appearance at a day; — said of a prisoner.
MAINS
Mains, n. Etym: [Scot. See Manse.]
Defn: The farm attached to a mansion house. [Scot.]
MAINSAIL
Main"sail`, n. (Naut.)
Defn: The principal sail in a ship or other vessel.
[They] hoised up the mainsail to the wind. Acts xxvii. 40.