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principle
prin-ci-ple CITE
[prin-suh-puh l] Spell Syllables Synonyms
Examples
Word Origin
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See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com (http://www.thesaurus.com/browse/principle)
noun 1.
an accepted or professed rule of action or conduct: a person of good moral principles.
2.
a fundamental, primary, or general law or truth from which others are derived: the principles of modern physics.
3.
a fundamental doctrine or tenet; a distinctive ruling opinion: the principles of the Stoics.
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4.
principles, a personal or specific basis of conduct or management: to adhere to one's principles; a kindergarten run on modern principles.
5.
guiding sense of the requirements and obligations of right conduct: a person of principle.
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6.
an adopted rule or method for application in action: a working principle for general use.
7.
a rule or law exemplified in natural phenomena, the construction or operation of a machine, the working of a system, or the like: the principle of capillary attraction.
Idioms 14.
in principle, in essence or substance; fundamentally: to accept a plan in principle.
15.
on principle, a. according to personal rules for right conduct; as a matter of moral principle: He refused on principle to agree to the terms of the treaty. b. according to a fixed rule, method, or practice: He drank hot milk every night on principle.
Related Words
spirit (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/spirit) uncertainty principle (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/uncertaintyprinciple) acceleration principle (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/accelerationprinciple)
Origin of principle
Middle French (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/middlefrench)
equivalence principle (http://www.dictionary.com/e/s/odd-jobs/? (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/equivalenceparam=DcomSERP-RR4) principle)
banking principle (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/bankingprinciple) Latin (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/latin)
correspondence principle (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/correspondenceprinciple)
1350-1400
1350-1400; Middle English, alteration of Middle French principe or Latin prīncipium, on the analogy of manciple (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/manciple). See principium (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/principium)
Can be confused
Nearby words for principle
principal (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/principal), principle (see usage note at
principalship (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/principalship) principate (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/principate) principe (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/principe) principia (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/principia) principium (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/principium)
principal (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/principal); see synonym study at the current entry)
principle
Synonyms See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com (http://www.thesaurus.com/browse/principle) 2. theorem, axiom, postulate, proposition. 5. integrity, probity, rectitude, honor.
Synonym Study 1–3. Principle, canon, rule imply something established as a standard or test, for measuring, regulating, or guiding conduct or practice. A principle is a general and fundamental truth that may be used in deciding conduct or choice: to adhere to principle.
(http://www.dictionary.com/browse/principle) principle of complementarity (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/principle-of-complementarity) principle of economy (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/principleof-economy) principle of indifference (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/principle-of-indifference) principle of least action (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/principle-of-least-action) principle of mathematical induction (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/principle-of-mathematicalinduction)
Canon, originally referring to an edict of the Church (a meaning that it still retains), is used of any principle, law, or critical standard that is officially approved, particularly in
Usage note
Difficulty index for prin-ci-ple
Most English speakers likely know this word
See principal (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/principal).
Word Value for prin-ci-ple
Dictionary.com Unabridged
15
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018. Cite This Source
Scrabble
20 Words With Friends
Examples from the Web for prin-ci-ple Contemporary Examples But the qualities Mario Cuomo brought to public life—compassion, integrity, commitment to principle—remain in short supply today. President Cuomo Would’ve Been a Lion (http://www.thedailybeast.com? (http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/01/02/trying-to-answer-the-great-cuomo-whatsource=dictionary) ifs.html?source=dictionary) Jonathan Alter (http://www.thedailybeast.com/contributors/jonathan-alter.html? source=dictionary) January 2, 2015
Nixon said defending the two islands was “a matter of principle.” The World’s Toughest Political Quiz (http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/12/31/the(http://www.thedailybeast.com? world-s-toughest-political-quiz.html?source=dictionary) source=dictionary) Jeff Greenfield (http://www.thedailybeast.com/contributors/jeff-greenfield.html? source=dictionary) December 31, 2014
If the noble experiment of American democracy is to mean anything, it is fidelity to the
British Dictionary definitions for prin-ci-ple
principle /prnsp l/ noun 1.
a standard or rule of personal conduct: a man of principle
2.
(often pl) a set of such moral rules: he'd stoop to anything, he has no principles
3.
adherence to such a moral code; morality: it's not the money but the principle of the thing, torn between principle and expediency
Principle /prnsp l/ noun 1.
(Christian Science) another word for God (/browse/god)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Cite This Source
Word Origin and History for prin-ci-ple n. late 14c., "origin, source, beginning; rule of conduct; axiom, basic assumption; elemental aspect of a craft or discipline," from Anglo-French principle, Old French principe "origin, cause, principle," from Latin principium (plural principia) "a beginning, commencement, origin, first part," in plural "foundation, elements," from princeps (see prince (/browse/prince)). Used absolutely for (good or moral) principle from 1650s. It is often easier to fight for principles than to live up to them. [Adlai Stevenson, speech, New York City, Aug. 27, 1952] Scientific sense of "general law of nature" is recorded from 1802. The English -lapparently is by analogy of participle, etc. Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper Cite This Source
prin-ci-ple in Medicine principle prin·ci·ple (prĭn's-pl) n. 1. A basic truth, law, or assumption. 2. A rule or law concerning the functioning of natural phenomena or mechanical processes. 3. One of the elements composing a chemical compound, especially one that gives some special quality or effect. 4. The essential ingredient in a drug. The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. Cite This Source
Idioms and Phrases with prin-ci-ple
principle see: in principle (/browse/in--principle) on principle (/browse/on--principle) The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. Cite This Source
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