clock mechanism crossword – All Crossword Answers
Welcome! If you're stuck on a crossword clue involving a "clock mechanism," you've come to the right place. Below you'll find a comprehensive list of possible answers, sorted by letter count, along with clear explanations to help you complete your puzzle with ease.
Solutions for "clock mechanism crossword" by Letter Count
4 Letters
GEAR: A toothed wheel that meshes with another toothed part to transmit motion, essential in a clock's internal workings.
COGS: The individual teeth on the rim of a gear wheel, a common component of a clock's mechanism.
6 Letters
SPRING: A coiled metal wire that provides tension or stores energy, frequently used to power mechanical clocks and watches.
8 Letters
MOVEMENT: Refers to the entire internal assembly of working parts within a clock or watch that makes it keep time.
PENDULUM: A weight suspended so it can swing freely, often used as a timekeeping element in large clocks to regulate their movement.
10 Letters
ESCAPEMENT: A crucial part of a clock that controls the rate at which the gears turn, allowing for precise timekeeping and producing the familiar ticking sound.
More About "clock mechanism crossword"
The term "clock mechanism" is a popular subject in crosswords, often challenging solvers due to the variety of components that make up a timepiece. From the foundational gears that transmit power to the intricate escapement that regulates time, clues can point to any aspect of a clock's internal workings. Understanding the different parts and their functions is key to unlocking these answers.
Crossword setters often use synonyms or descriptive phrases to hint at these mechanisms. For instance, a clue might refer to "a clock's heart" for its movement, or "time's regulator" for the escapement. Being familiar with both the technical terms and their everyday descriptions will give you a significant edge in solving these puzzles.
The beauty of clock mechanisms lies in their precision and the ingenious engineering behind them. When you encounter such a clue, think about the primary actions involved in timekeeping: power generation (spring), motion transfer (gears, cogs), and regulation (escapement, pendulum). This systematic approach can help narrow down the possibilities.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Word Length: The number of letters is your most crucial hint. A long word often points to a more complex component like an ESCAPEMENT, while shorter words might indicate a simple GEAR or COG.
- Consider Specificity: Does the clue mention a general 'part' or something more specific like a 'regulator' or 'power source'? This can help distinguish between general terms like MOVEMENT and specific ones like SPRING.
- Think Function: What does the component do? Does it make the clock tick, make it go, or store energy? Connecting the clue to the function of a clock part can quickly lead to the correct answer.
- Check Cross-References: Always use intersecting letters from other solved clues to confirm your answer. Sometimes, a common answer for "clock mechanism" might not fit the specific grid.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common answers for 'clock mechanism' in crosswords?
Common answers often include words like GEAR, COGS, SPRING, MOVEMENT, or ESCAPEMENT, depending on the number of letters required and the specific nuance of the clue.
Why do clock clues sometimes have multiple answers for the same length?
Clock mechanisms are complex, with many distinct parts. A clue might refer to the general 'mechanism' or a specific component, leading to various valid answers of the same length, such as GEAR and COGS both being four letters.
How can I distinguish between general and specific clock mechanism clues?
Look for additional descriptive words in the clue. For example, 'clock part' might lead to a generic answer like GEAR, while 'time regulator' would point more specifically to ESCAPEMENT or PENDULUM. The context of surrounding letters in the grid is also crucial.