ENGLISH
REFERENCE

maine

n. countable
B1 Intermediate US //ˈmeɪn// maine Archaic

n. a state in the northeastern United States known for its rocky coast, forests, and cold winters. It is the most eastern state in the country.

n. a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by New Hampshire to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast. Proper noun; always capitalized.


SIMPLE

Maine is famous for its delicious lobsters.

CONTEXTUAL

Many people travel to Maine in the autumn to see the colorful leaves in the national parks.

COMPLEX

The rugged coastline of Maine has long served as an inspiration for American painters and writers who are drawn to its stark natural beauty and maritime history.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

The US state is from French Maine, named by its French explorers after the province in France with the same name; unrelated to the name of the river that flows through it. From Old French Cemaine, from Latin *Cenomania, from the name of the Gaulish Cenomani tribe of Gallia Celtica. The word was rebracketed as ce (“this”) + Maine, and the ce- was lost by the 12th century.

Etymology 2

From French Maine, from earlier Maienne, from Latin Meduāna, of uncertain origin. Doublet of Mayenne. Unrelated to the French province of the same name.

Etymology 3

From Irish An Mhaing

Etymology 4

From Old Irish Maine.

Usage

As a proper noun referring to a specific geographic entity, it is typically used without an article.

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