mainspring Hear it!

mainspring Definition

main·spring (-spriŋ′)

noun

  1. the principal spring in a clock, watch, or other mechanism; driving spring, whose steady uncoiling keeps the mechanism running
  2. the chief motive or cause

mainspring Synonyms

mainspring

n.

heart, root, power; see origin 3.

mainspring Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • change: In England and Wales charities have long been a mainspring of positive social change.
  • growth: They are also the mainsprings of growth identified by the new growth economics.
  • action: As such, the understanding of morality is low, and fear of the gods ' anger and retribution is the mainspring of action.
  • progress: The mainspring of progress is the mighty fact that millions of people seek battle and aspire.

Converse of object

  • wind: The rotor did not move around enough to wind the mainspring sufficiently.
  • provide: Put to work in 1824 at a blacking factory, a humiliation that was to provide a mainspring for his subsequent ambition.

Modifies a noun

housing: We continue to be asked whether we prefer the straight or the arched mainspring housing on the 1911 pistol.