Clockwork refers to the inner workings of either mechanical devices called clocks and watches (where it is also called the movement) or other mechanisms that work similarly, using a series of gears driven by a spring or weight.[1][2][3]
A clockwork mechanism is often powered by a clockwork motor[4] consisting of a mainspring, a spiral torsion spring of metal ribbon. Energy is stored in the mainspring manually by winding it up, turning a key attached to a ratchet which twists the mainspring tighter. Then the force of the mainspring turns the clockwork gears, until the stored energy is used up. The adjectives wind-up and spring-powered refer to mainspring-powered clockwork devices, which include clocks and watches, kitchen timers, music boxes, and wind-up toys.
- ^ "Clockwork - Definition of clockwork by Merriam-Webster". merriam-webster.com. Archived from the original on 2013-11-22. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
- ^ "Clockwork - Define Clockwork at Dictionary.com". Dictionary.com. Archived from the original on 2013-11-25. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
- ^ "clockwork". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
- ^ The Talking Machine Encyclopædia: A Comprehensive and Descriptive Glossary of All Terms Used in Connection with the Talking Machine. London: Phono Trader Printing and Publishing Co. 1908. pp. 45–47. Archived from the original on 2023-07-03. Retrieved 2021-11-09., description of the clockwork motor in an antique phonograph