• n. 主要动力；（钟表）主发条；主要原因；主要动机

main,主要的，spring,弹簧，发条。引申词义钟表的主发条等。

mainspring (n.)

1590s, of watches, clocks, etc., from main (adj.) + spring (n.3). Figurative use from 1690s.

1. You begin to understand what actions were the mainspring of the story.

你开始体会到是什么样的行动在推动这个故事的发展。

来自柯林斯例句

2. My life has been music, and a constant search for it has been the mainspring of my life.

我以音乐为生，对音乐的不懈探索已经成为我生活的动力。

来自柯林斯例句

3. Her jealousy is the mainspring of the novel's plot.

这部小说情节中贯穿了她的忌妒之心.

来自辞典例句

4. The mainspring makes the watch motion.

发条带动表走.

来自辞典例句

5. Fear is the mainspring of war.

恐惧是战争的主要动力.

来自辞典例句