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principle Definition

prin·ci·ple (prin′sə pəl)

noun

  1. the ultimate source, origin, or cause of something
  2. a natural or original tendency, faculty, or endowment
  3. a fundamental truth, law, doctrine, or motivating force, upon which others are based moral principles
    1. a rule of conduct, esp. of right conduct
    2. such rules collectively
    3. adherence to them; integrity; uprightness a man of principle
  5. an essential element, constituent, or quality, esp. one that produces a specific effect the active principle of a medicine
    1. the scientific law that explains a natural action the principle of cell division
    2. the method of a thing's operation the principle of a gasoline engine is internal combustion

Etymology: ME, altered < MFr principe < L principium: see principium

principle Idioms

in principle

theoretically or in essence

on principle

because of or according to a principle

principle Synonyms

principle

n.

  1. A fundamental law

    origin, source, postulate; see law 4.

  2. A belief or set of beliefs; often plural

    system, opinion, teaching; see belief 1, faith 2, policy.

in principle

in theory, ideally, in essence; see theoretically.

principle Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • subsidiarity: It also states that the state should only be active where families and the voluntary sector cannot ( principle of subsidiarity ).
  • equality: The principle of equality of nations that inhabit our country is strictly adhered by.
  • justice: Procedures for considering possible removal must follow the principles of natural justice and be publicized.
  • sustainability: In the context the accepted principles of sustainability, proposals must be fully justified in terms of need.

Converse of object

  • apply: All were not teachers, still less public teachers, of the Word; still in these cases, the same principles exactly applied.
  • outline: In this spirit, we outline here several principles that we believe should underpin the discussion.
  • embody: Diversity embodies the principle of fair treatment for all.
  • adopt: Hong Kong Taxation Hong Kong adopts a territorial source principle of taxation.
  • establish: This instrumentalism is kept in check by our already established principles of responsibility to social principles of fairness at a moral level.
  • violate: This ecclesiasticism violates every principle of morality, and hardens the conscience that has to do with it.

Adjective modifier

  • guiding: A guiding principle was " allowing the community group to take control " .
  • fundamental: A basic fundamental principle of the way of life.
  • basic: The Players Nigerian Fives players fellow none of the basic principles of European players.
  • precautionary: Keywords, CaMV 35S promoter, horizontal gene transfer, precautionary principle, hazards of GM crops In your account ( Jan.
  • underlying: That underlying principle drives the interest to ensure that copyrights are protected in the digital age.
  • general: Do you have a sufficient grasp of the general principles?

Noun used with modifier

  • uncertainty: The Heisenberg uncertainty principle in quantum mechanics implies that vacuum fluctuations are present in every quantum theory.
  • accounting: To develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of the accounting principles, concepts, regulations and techniques, applicable to the selected topics.
  • subsidiarity: Should the choice of mechanism to support renewables be left to the Member States as in line with the subsidiarity principle?
  • data: There are eight data protection principles that must be followed when using either databases or manual filing systems.