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• prime mover
  prime mover

  noun
• Prime Mover
  Prime Mover

  noun

  philosophy God, esp when considered as a first cause

prime mover

American  

noun

1. Mechanics.

   1. the initial agent, as wind or electricity, that puts a machine in motion.

   2. a machine, as a water wheel or steam engine, that receives and modifies energy as supplied by some natural source.

2. means of towing a cannon, as an animal, truck, or tractor.

3. Also called unmoved mover.  Aristotelianism. that which is the first cause of all movement and does not itself move.

4. a person or thing that initiates or gives power and cohesion to something, as an idea, endeavor, or organization.

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prime mover ¹ British  

noun

1. the original or primary force behind an idea, enterprise, etc

2. 1. the source of power, such as fuel, wind, electricity, etc, for a machine

   2. the means of extracting power from such a source, such as a steam engine, electric motor, etc

3. (in the philosophy of Aristotle) that which is the cause of all movement

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Prime Mover ² British  

noun

1. philosophy God, esp when considered as a first cause

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prime mover Idioms  

1. The initial source of energy directed toward a goal, someone or something that sets others in motion. For example, Jean was the prime mover in getting us more laboratory space, or Patriotism was the prime mover of the revolution. [Late 1600s]

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Etymology

Origin of prime mover

First recorded in 1935–40

Related Words

• instigator
• motivator
• mover