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1. WordNet® 3.0 (2006)
mainspring
    n 1: the most important spring in a mechanical device
         (especially a clock or watch); as it uncoils it drives the
         mechanism

2. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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]

Thesaurus Results for mainspring:

1. Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0
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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