Definition of PRINCIPLE

principle

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.

Examples

  • Bernoulli's principle
  • I don't doubt your principles.
  • It's the principle of the thing; I won't do business with someone I can't trust.
  • Many believe that life is the result of some vital principle.
  • the active principle
  • The Pauli Exclusion Principle prevents two fermions from occupying the same state.
  • The principle of least privilege holds that a process should only receive the permissions it needs.
  • The principle of the internal combustion engine
  • We need some sort of principles to reason from.
  • You are clearly a person of principle.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English principle, from Old French principe, from Latin prīncipium (“beginning, foundation”), from prīnceps (“first”). By surface analysis, prīmus (“first”) + -ceps (“catcher”); the former ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *preh₂- (“before”); see also prince.

Scrabble Score: 15

principle: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
principle: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
principle: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 20

principle: valid Words With Friends Word