The meaning of Mainspring

noun

The underlying support or foundation for an idea, argument, or process.

Usage examples:

Trust is the only basis for a good working relationship

noun

The point in time or space at which something begins.

Usage examples:

He left at the beginning of february

verb

Perform or undergo the first part of (an action or activity).

Usage examples:

Peter had just begun a life sentence for murder

noun

A person or thing that gives rise to an action, phenomenon, or condition.

Usage examples:

The cause of the accident is not clear

verb

Make (something, especially something bad) happen.

Usage examples:

This disease can cause blindness

conjunction

Short for because.

noun

A source of a desirable quality or commodity.

Usage examples:

Our courier was a fount of knowledge

noun

Variant spelling of font2.

noun

A set of type of one particular face and size.

Usage examples:

Written material in a variety of fonts and formats

noun

An ornamental structure in a pool or lake from which one or more jets of water are pumped into the air.

Usage examples:

Non-living structures include equipment, statues, urns, fountains and pools of water.

verb

Spurt or cascade like a fountain.

Usage examples:

A river of cold air fountained into the hold

noun

A stream of water that is forced up into the air through a small hole, esp. for decorative effect, or the structure from which this flows

Usage examples:

The fountain in central park

noun

A person or thing that generates something.

Usage examples:

We'll work on gravity generators; couple those with brainwave interfaces, and everyone will be able…

noun

The force or energy with which a body moves.

Usage examples:

Hit the booster coil before the flywheel loses all its impetus

noun

A force that encourages a particular action or makes it more energetic or effective

Usage examples:

Often the impetus for change in education has had to come from outside the school establishment.

noun

A sudden strong and unreflective urge or desire to act.

Usage examples:

I had an almost irresistible impulse to giggle

An impelling force or strength

noun

A sudden, strong desire to do something

Usage examples:

[ + to infinitive ] i had this impulse to dye my hair red., [ u ] i bought this expensive sweater o…

noun

A thing that motivates or encourages someone to do something.

Usage examples:

Give farmers an incentive to improve their land

noun

Something that encourages a person to do something

Usage examples:

[ c ] tax incentives are sometimes effective in encouraging people to save money., [ u ] these kids…

noun

Something, especially money, that encourages a person or organization to do something

Usage examples:

Financial/fiscal/monetary incentive cash grants were part of the financial incentives given to deve…

noun

A reason or reasons for acting or behaving in a particular way.

Usage examples:

Escape can be a strong motivation for travel

noun

Willingness to do something, or something that causes such willingness

Usage examples:

[ c ] one motivation for reducing the staff was the need to cut costs., [ u ] you need a lot of mot…

noun

Enthusiasm for doing something

Usage examples:

Many staff lack motivation and are resistant to change., a motivation for sth a major motivation fo…

noun

A reason for doing something.

Usage examples:

Police were unable to establish a motive for his murder

adjective

Producing physical or mechanical motion.

Usage examples:

The charge of gas is the motive force for every piston stroke

noun

A reason for doing something

Usage examples:

Does he have a motive for lying about where he was?, judy moved to florida because she likes it the…

noun

The point or place where something begins, arises, or is derived.

Usage examples:

His theory of the origin of life

noun

The thing from which something comes, or the place where it began

Usage examples:

[ c ] the origins of language, [ u ] he studied the origin and development of the nervous system., …

noun

The beginning or cause of something

Usage examples:

The origins of this practice date back to the time of the depression., whether entrepreneurs are se…

noun

A cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event.

Usage examples:

She asked him to return, but didn't give a reason

verb

Think, understand, and form judgements logically.

Usage examples:

Humans do not reason entirely from facts

noun

The part of a plant which attaches it to the ground or to a support, typically underground, conveying water and nourishment to the rest of the plant via numerous branches and fibres.

Usage examples:

Cacti have deep and spreading roots

verb

Cause (a plant or cutting) to grow roots.

Usage examples:

Root your own cuttings from stock plants

noun

An act of rooting.

Usage examples:

I had a root through the open drawers