principle

Meaning

Noun

1. A fundamental assumption or guiding belief.
2. A rule used to choose among solutions to a problem.
3. Moral rule or aspect.
4. A rule or law of nature, or the basic idea on how the laws of nature are applied.
5. A fundamental essence, particularly one producing a given quality.
6. A fundamental essence, particularly one producing a given quality.
7. A source, or origin; that from which anything proceeds; fundamental substance or energy; primordial substance; ultimate element, or cause.
8. An original faculty or endowment.
9. (alt-of, misspelling) Misspelling of principal.
10. (obsolete) A beginning.

Verb

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

Synonyms

rule

tenet

basis

doctrine

regulation

law

origin

precept

policy

axiom

discipline

reason

foundation

root

source

theory

system

method

fundamentals

base

fundamental law

statute

cause

opinion

rationale

meaning

general rule

theorem

start

beginning

standard

element

rudiment

origination

approach

plan

main

guideline

basic

condition

conceptual

canon

concept

common

bugbear

commission

commencement

ghost

👻

command

genie

🧞

Translations

principe

principio

Prinzip

principio

princípio

Grundsatz

principe

principi

αρχή

grondbeginsel

beginsel

مبدأ

règle

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈpɹɪnsɪpəl/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: principle

In summary

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.