principle

Meanings

Plural: principles

Noun

• a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
  • "their principles of composition characterized all their works"
• a rule or standard especially of good behavior
  • "a man of principle"
  • "he will not violate his principles"
• a basic truth or law or assumption
  • "the principles of democracy"
• a rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system
  • "the principle of the conservation of mass"
  • "the principle of jet propulsion"
• rule of personal conduct
• (law) an explanation of the fundamental reasons (especially an explanation of the working of some device in terms of laws of nature)
  • "the principles of internal-combustion engines"
• A fundamental assumption or guiding belief.
• A rule used to choose among solutions to a problem.
• Moral rule or aspect.
• A rule or law of nature, or the basic idea on how the laws of nature are applied.
• A fundamental essence, particularly one producing a given quality.
• A fundamental essence, particularly one producing a given quality.
• A chemical compound within plant or animal tissue that is characteristic of it and more or less peculiar to it, such that it defines the character of that tissue from a human viewpoint (as for example nicotine in tobacco).
• A source, or origin; that from which anything proceeds; fundamental substance or energy; primordial substance; ultimate element, or cause.
• An original faculty or endowment.
• Misspelling of principal.
• A beginning.

Verb

• To equip with principles; to establish, or fix, in certain principles; to impress with any tenet or rule of conduct.

Synonyms

precept, premise, rationale, rule, tenet

Related Words

prince, principal, principality