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Mainstay vs Mainspring - What's the difference?

mainstay | mainspring |

As nouns the difference between mainstay and mainspring

is that mainstay is a chief support while mainspring is the principal spring of a clockwork mechanism, that drives it by uncoiling.

mainstay

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A chief support.
  • :Agriculture is the mainstay of this country’s economy.
  • (nautical) A stabilising rope from the top of the mainmast to the bottom of the foremast.

    • Anagrams

    *

    mainspring

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The principal spring of a clockwork mechanism, that drives it by uncoiling.
  • * 1922 , (Margery Williams), (The Velveteen Rabbit)
    • He was wise, for he had seen a long succession of mechanical toys arrive to boast and swagger, and by-and-by break their mainsprings and pass away.
  • (figuratively) The most important reason for something.
    • My daughter is the mainspring of my life.