Amain

Part of speech: adverb

Pronunciation: /əˈmeɪn/

Definitions

1. with significant energy or strength in a way that exhibits rapid movement and vigor happening at the highest possible rate or intensity
2. Moving with complete energy at the fastest pace possible
3. Proceeding with intense power and rapidity without hesitation

Etymology: The most surprising route runs through a sailing term. "Amain" is built from the prefix "a-" and "main", meaning force or strength, so its literal sense is "with force". But the word most likely came into English as a borrowing from Spanish "amainar", which meant to reef a sail, that is, take in part of a canvas so it suits the force of the wind. From there the Spanish sense widened to abate or subside, and to calm oneself or control one's anger. The Spanish verb probably came from a regional Italian dialect word of Naples, related to Italian "ammainare", meaning to lower a flag or sail. That in turn is traced to a Vulgar Latin verb meaning to sheathe a sword, built from Latin "in-" and "vagina", scabbard. Because of this, "amain" is a doublet of "invaginate", two words from the same root that reached English by different routes.

Synonyms: rapidly, quickly

Antonyms: slowly