hairspring

American  

[hair-spring] / ˈhɛərˌsprɪŋ /

noun

Horology.

1. a fine, usually spiral, spring used for oscillating the balance of a timepiece.

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hairspring British  

/ ˈhɛəˌsprɪŋ /

noun

1. horology a very fine spiral spring in some timepieces, which, in combination with the balance wheel, controls the timekeeping

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Etymology

Origin of hairspring

First recorded in 1820–30; hair + spring

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hairspring

However, Shapiro said, the production version of Resurgence will include a hairspring and bearings made in America.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 22, 2023

Its hairspring, mainspring, ruby bearings and a few other parts were sourced from Switzerland.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 22, 2023

It is intended to be the first member of a family of movements incorporating both the DIAMonSIL escapement and an adjustable oscillator fitted with a silicium hairspring.

From New York Times ● Nov. 23, 2012

Since the 17th century they have depended on a delicate hairspring that keeps a balance wheel turning backward and forward at a regular rate.

From Time Magazine Archive

As we set the bankings the pallets are all right; but to test matters, let us remove the hairspring and put the balance in place.

From Watch and Clock Escapements A Complete Study in Theory and Practice of the Lever, Cylinder and Chronometer Escapements, Together with a Brief Account of the Origin and Evolution of the Escapement in Horology by Anonymous

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