[mass noun]a mechanism with a spring and toothed gearwheels, used to drive a mechanical clock, toy, or other device (发动机械钟、玩具等的)发条齿轮装置
adjective
[attrib.]driven by clockwork 以发条齿轮装置发动的 a clockwork motor. 以发条齿轮装置发动的马达。 a clockwork train. 以发条齿轮装置发动的火车。 ■very smooth and regular 极平滑规则的 the clockwork precision of the galaxy. 星系平滑规则的精确度。 ■repetitive and predictable 反复单调的 it was a clockwork existence for the children. 对孩子来说,这样的生活反复而单调。
常用词组 as regular as clockwork
very regularly; repeatedly and predictably 极规律地;反复单调地
like clockwork
very smoothly and easily 平稳地 the event ran like clockwork. 事件发展平稳。 ■with mechanical regularity 机械般规律地 these hens lay like clockwork. 这些母鸡机械般规律地下蛋。