mainspring
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main·spring
(mān′sprĭng′)n.
1. The principal spring in a mechanical device, especially a watch or clock, that drives the mechanism by uncoiling.
2. The chief motivating force: the mainspring of a reform movement.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
mainspring
(ˈmeɪnˌsprɪŋ)n
1. (Mechanical Engineering) the principal power spring of a mechanism, esp in a watch or clock
2. the chief cause or motive of something
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
main•spring
(ˈmeɪnˌsprɪŋ)n.
1. the principal spring in a mechanism, as a watch.
2. the chief power; the impelling cause.
[1585–95]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Noun | 1. |  mainspring - the most important spring in a mechanical device (especially a clock or watch); as it uncoils it drives the mechanismclockwork - any mechanism of geared wheels that is driven by a coiled spring; resembles the works of a mechanical clock spring - a metal elastic device that returns to its shape or position when pushed or pulled or pressed; "the spring was broken" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
mainspring
noun cause, inspiration, motivation, source, origin, incentive, motive, impulse, driving force, prime mover Music has always been the mainspring of my life.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
Translations
الزُّنْبَرَك الرَّئيسي في الساعَه
hnací pero
drivkrafthovedfjeder
fõrugó
gangfjöîur
hnacia pružina
ana yaybüyük zemberek
mainspring
[ˈmeɪnsprɪŋ] N [of watch] → muelle m real (fig) → motivo m principal, principal resorte mCollins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
mainspring
[ˈmeɪnsprɪŋ] n (= most important part) [life, plot, story] → pièce f maîtressemains supply n (for electricity, gas, water) to be on the mains supply → être raccordé au réseauCollins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
main
(mein) adjective chief, principal or most important. the main purpose; the main character in the story.
noun (also mains) the chief pipe or cable in a branching system of pipes or cables. The water's been turned off at the main(s); (also adjective) the mains electricity supply.
ˈmainly adverb more (of) the thing mentioned than anything else; mostly or largely. This skirt is mainly dark grey.
ˈmainland noun a large piece of land as compared with neighbouring islands. Britain is not part of the mainland of Europe.
ˈmainspring noun the chief spring, especially the spring that causes the wheels to move in a watch or clock.
ˈmainstream noun the chief direction or trend of a system of theories, developments etc. the mainstream of traditional art.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.