mainspring

1 ENTRIES FOUND:
mainspring /ˈmeɪnˌsprɪŋ/ noun
plural mainsprings
mainspring
/ˈmeɪnˌsprɪŋ/
noun
plural mainsprings
Britannica Dictionary definition of MAINSPRING
[count]
1 
: the most important spring in a watch or clock
2 
: the most important or powerful cause or part of something