a former name for the Caribbean Sea and the north-east coast of South America. In the 16th and 17th centuries many Spanish ships sailed through this area, carrying gold back to Spain. They were often attacked by pirates and there are many stories and films about the adventures that people had there in this period.
SPANISH MAIN
Meaning of SPANISH MAIN in English
Oxford guide to British and American culture English vocabulary. Руководство по британской и американской культуре, Оксфордский английский словарь. 2005