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hairspring

[hair-spring]
noun Horology.
  1. a fine, usually spiral, spring used for oscillating the balance of a timepiece.
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Origin of hairspring

First recorded in 1820–30; hair + spring
Also called balance spring.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for hairspring

Historical Examples

  • If this is a balance pivot, be very careful to see that your balance is true and poised before putting on hairspring and roller.

    Scientific American Supplement, No. 664, September 22,1888

    Various

  • Presume the existence of a vertical line through the center of hairspring and collet as shown at "A B" Fig. 9.

  • Hairspring concave or convex in form instead of perfectly level.8.

  • The complete balance and spring can be inserted and the pivots can be refinished without disturbing the roller or hairspring.

  • The hairspring should be removed and the pivots known to be straight and polished before testing.

British Dictionary definitions for hairspring

hairspring

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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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012