MAINSPRING


Meaning of MAINSPRING in English

n.

Pronunciation: ' m ā n- ˌ spri ŋ

Function: noun

Date: 1591

1 : the chief spring in a mechanism especially of a watch or clock

2 : the chief or most powerful motive, agent, or cause

Merriam Webster Collegiate English Dictionary.      Merriam Webster - Энциклопедический словарь английского языка.