Principle Definition
prĭnsə-pəl
principles
noun
principles
The ultimate source, origin, or cause of something.
Webster's New World
A fundamental truth, law, doctrine, or motivating force, upon which others are based.
Moral principles.
Webster's New World
A natural or original tendency, faculty, or endowment.
Webster's New World
A rule of conduct, esp. of right conduct.
Webster's New World
The collectivity of moral or ethical standards or judgments.
A decision based on principle rather than expediency.
American Heritage
verb
idiom
in principle
- With regard to the basics:
an idea that is acceptable in principle.
American Heritage
on principle
- According to or because of principle.
American Heritage
in principle
- theoretically or in essence
Webster's New World
on principle
- because of or according to a principle
Webster's New World
Other Word Forms of Principle
Noun
Singular:
principlePlural:
principlesIdioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Principle
Origin of Principle
-
Middle English alteration of Old French principe from Latin prīncipium from prīnceps prīncip- leader, emperor per1 in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
From Old French principe, from Latin principium (“beginning, foundation"), from princeps (“first"); see prince.
From Wiktionary
Related Articles
Find Similar Words
Find similar words to principle using the buttons below.