mainspring

[ meyn-spring ]
/ ˈmeɪnˌsprɪŋ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR mainspring ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the principal spring in a mechanism, as in a watch.
the chief motive power; the impelling cause.

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What does “barren” mean?
a cylindrical wooden container with slightly bulging sides.
Worn down by dullness, tedious repetition.
unproductive; unfruitful
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Origin of mainspring

First recorded in 1585–95; main1 + spring

Words nearby mainspring

mains, mainsail, main sequence, main shaft, mainsheet, mainspring, main squeeze, mainstay, main stem, main store, mainstream
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to mainspring

emotion, motivation, impulse, influence, idea, aim, intention, intent, rationale, consideration, passion, feeling, cause, provenance, element, motive, source, connection, ancestry, ancestor

Example sentences from the Web for mainspring

British Dictionary definitions for mainspring

mainspring
/ (ˈmeɪnˌsprɪŋ) /

noun

the principal power spring of a mechanism, esp in a watch or clock
the chief cause or motive of something
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