mainspring
Watch's wound heart
A mainspring is the coiled metal spring that powers a mechanical watch or clock, storing energy as it's wound and releasing it gradually to drive the mechanism.
Figuratively, a mainspring is the chief motivating force behind something: Curiosity was the mainspring of her research.
The metaphor suggests something hidden that drives visible action.
Tick-controlling clock component
- balance wheelTimekeeping oscillator in watches
- hairspringCoiled timing regulator
- barrelHooped cylindrical vessel
- windingCurving repeatedly, sinuous
movement · gear train · click · ratchet · arbor · jewel · pivot · tension
Power behind movement
- impetusForce initiating action
- catalystAgent enabling change
- stimulusWhat prompts a reaction
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
incentive · spur · spark · trigger · prime mover · animating force · impulse · instigation
escapement
Tick-controlling clock component
- balance wheelTimekeeping oscillator in watches
- hairspringCoiled timing regulator
- barrelHooped cylindrical vessel
winding · movement · gear train · click · ratchet · arbor · jewel · pivot · tension · torque
driving force
Power behind movement
inspiration · incentive · spur · spark · trigger · prime mover · animating force · impulse · instigation · propellant
nucleus
Central controlling part
linchpin · keystone · cornerstone · pivot · anchor · fulcrum · bedrock · hub · epicenter · vital force
- chronometersmarine chronometer, balance wheel, escapement
- timekeepingclock, watch, watches, clocks, timer
- springshairspring, bedspring, coil, coiled wire, torsion bar
- wind-up toyswind-up toy, wind-up car, chattering teeth, cymbal monkey, dancing figure
- clock partswheel, pendulum, escapement, dial, gear train
- clockworkescapement, balance wheel, gear train, hairspring, movement
mainspringbattery
Portable electricity storage
escapement · gear · dead weight · friction · resistance
mainspringperiphery
Boundary or outer region
triviality · side issue · afterthought · incidental · footnote