Thesaurus: mainspring

Related headwords

Definitions

1. n. The principal or most important spring in a piece of mechanism, especially the moving spring of a watch or clock or the spring in a gunlock which impels the hammer. Hence: The chief or most powerful motive; the efficient cause of action.
2. n. the most important spring in a mechanical device (especially a clock or watch); as it uncoils it drives the mechanism
3. The principal or most important spring in a piece of mechanism, especially the moving spring of a watch or clock or the spring in a gunlock which impels the hammer. Hence: The chief or most powerful motive; the efficient cause of action.
4. The principal or most important spring in a piece of mechanism,especially the moving spring of a watch or clock or the spring in agunlock which impels the hammer. Hence: The chief or most powerfulmotive; the efficient cause of action.
5. n:100 n. the most important spring in a mechanical device (especially a clock or watch); as it uncoils it drives the mechanism