noun. The principal spring in a mechanical device, especially a watch or clock, that drives the mechanism by uncoiling.

noun. The chief motivating force.

noun. The principal spring of any piece of mechanism, as, in a gun-lock, the spring which operates the hammer; specifically, the coiled spring of a watch or other timepiece.

noun. undefined

noun. The impelling cause of any action; the inciting motive.

noun. 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.

noun. The principal spring of a clockwork mechanism, that drives it by uncoiling.

noun. The most important reason for something.

noun. the most important spring in a mechanical device (especially a clock or watch); as it uncoils it drives the mechanism

"When the spiritual stage of her evolution is reached, this occult process must become the whole process; to get through the veil of forces and get at their secret mainspring, which is the Spirit itself, is of cardinal importance."

spring  

abiding-place  altruist  by-law  disfranchisement  hour hand  

ambition  aspiration  basis  calling  cause