prime mover
Engine or initiator
Prime mover names the original source of motion or action.
In philosophy, it's the uncaused cause that set the universe in motion—God or an equivalent first principle.
In mechanics, it's the engine or motor that converts energy into useful work: Steam engines were the prime movers of the Industrial Revolution.
Figuratively, a prime mover is the driving force behind any enterprise: She was the prime mover in getting the legislation passed.
Initial triggering factor
- metaphysicsPhilosophy of existence's nature
- teleologyStudy of purpose in nature
- actualityState of existing fact
- potentialityCapacity to develop
theology · pure act · eternal · divine · uncaused · scholasticism · Aquinas · causality
Agent enabling change
- triggerWhat initiates action
- impetusForce initiating action
- stimulusWhat prompts a reaction
- genesisPoint of creation
source · origin · antecedent · determinant · instigation · motivation · inducement · provocation
One who guides others
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
- founderOne who begins something
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- architectBuilding design professional
instigator · catalyst · mastermind · originator · trailblazer · innovator · driving force · spearhead
Machine producing motion
- pistonReciprocating cylinder component
- cylinderCircular-based solid form
- crankshaftRotating engine shaft
- camshaftLobed rod operating valves
combustion · diesel · turbine · horsepower · torque · transmission · flywheel · hydraulic
first cause
Initial triggering factor
- metaphysicsPhilosophy of existence's nature
- teleologyStudy of purpose in nature
- actualityState of existing fact
potentiality · theology · pure act · eternal · divine · uncaused · scholasticism · Aquinas · causality · ontology
catalyst
Agent enabling change
genesis · source · origin · antecedent · determinant · instigation · motivation · inducement · provocation · inception
leader
One who guides others
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
- founderOne who begins something
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
architect · instigator · catalyst · mastermind · originator · trailblazer · innovator · driving force · spearhead · pathfinder
engine
Machine producing motion
- pistonReciprocating cylinder component
- cylinderCircular-based solid form
- crankshaftRotating engine shaft
camshaft · combustion · diesel · turbine · horsepower · torque · transmission · flywheel · hydraulic · pneumatic
- originatorsfounder, creator, inventor, innovator, pioneer
- originsbeginning, birth, creation, source, roots
- motivatorsmotivator, rewards, ambition, incentive, incentives
- Pioneerspioneer, pioneers, forerunner, trailblazer, innovator
- Astronomy HistoryCopernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Newton, Ptolemy
- metaphysicsessence, being, reality, existence, substance theory
prime movereffect
Result of a cause
consequence · result · outcome · byproduct · derivative
move, remove, moved, prime, movement, primary, motive, removal, movable