prime mover

prime mover

noun
1.
Mechanics.
a.
the initial agent, as wind or electricity, that puts a machine in motion.
b.
a machine, as a water wheel or steam engine, that receives and modifies energy as supplied by some natural source.
2.
means of towing a cannon, as an animal, truck, or tractor.
3.
Also called unmoved mover. Aristotelianism. that which is the first cause of all movement and does not itself move.
4.
a person or thing that initiates or gives power and cohesion to something, as an idea, endeavor, or organization.

Origin:
1935–40
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Prime mover is always a great word to know.
So is gobo. Does it mean:
a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
Collins
World English Dictionary
prime mover
 
n
1.  the original or primary force behind an idea, enterprise, etc
2.  a.  the source of power, such as fuel, wind, electricity, etc, for a machine
 b.  the means of extracting power from such a source, such as a steam engine, electric motor, etc
3.  (in the philosophy of Aristotle) that which is the cause of all movement

Prime Mover
 
n
philosophy the Prime Mover God, esp when considered as a first cause

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases

prime mover

The initial source of energy directed toward a goal, someone or something that sets others in motion. For example, Jean was the prime mover in getting us more laboratory space, or Patriotism was the prime mover of the revolution. [Late 1600s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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