Meaning of MAINSPRING
| Pronunciation: | | 'meyn`spring
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 WordNet Dictionary |
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| | Definition: | | [n] the most important spring in a mechanical device (especially a clock or watch); as it uncoils it drives the mechanism |
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| | See Also: | | clockwork, spring | |
| Webster's 1913 Dictionary |
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| | Definition: | | \Main"spring`\, 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.
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| Thesaurus Terms |
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| | Related Terms: | | ambition, aspiration, basis, calling, cause, consideration, font, fount, fountain, fountainhead, goal, ground, guiding light, guiding star, headspring, headstream, headwater, ideal, inspiration, intention, lodestar, matter, mine, motive, principle, quarry, reason, riverhead, sake, score, source, spring, springhead, ulterior motive, vocation, well, wellhead, wellspring |
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