mainspring

main·spring

M0045100 (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.

mainspring

(ˈmeɪnˌsprɪŋ) n1. (Mechanical Engineering) the principal power spring of a mechanism, esp in a watch or clock2. the chief cause or motive of something

main•spring

(ˈmeɪnˌsprɪŋ)

n. 1. the principal spring in a mechanism, as a watch. 2. the chief power; the impelling cause. [1585–95]

Thesaurus

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 clockspring - a metal elastic device that returns to its shape or position when pushed or pulled or pressed; "the spring was broken"

mainspring

noun cause, inspiration, motivation, source, origin, incentive, motive, impulse, driving force, prime mover Music has always been the mainspring of my life.

Translations

主发条

main

(mein) adjective chief, principal or most important. the main purpose; the main character in the story. 主要的 主要的 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. 幹線 干线ˈmainly adverb more (of) the thing mentioned than anything else; mostly or largely. This skirt is mainly dark grey. 主要地 主要地ˈmainland noun a large piece of land as compared with neighbouring islands. Britain is not part of the mainland of Europe. 大陸 大陆ˈmainspring noun the chief spring, especially the spring that causes the wheels to move in a watch or clock. 主發條 主发条ˈmainstream noun the chief direction or trend of a system of theories, developments etc. the mainstream of traditional art. 主流 主流