3 definitions found From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]: mainspring \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: (Fig.) The chief or most powerful motive; the efficient cause of action; as, the mainspring of action. [1913 Webster] From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]: mainspring n : the most important spring in a mechanical device (especially a clock or watch); as it uncoils it drives the mechanism From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]: 38 Moby Thesaurus words for "mainspring": 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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