principle

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.2.1 Homophones 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Usage notes 1.3.2 Synonyms 1.3.3 Derived terms 1.3.4 Related terms 1.3.5 Translations 1.3.6 External links

[edit] English

Wikipedia Wikipedia

[edit] Etymology

< Old French principe < Latin principium (“‘beginning, foundation’”) < princeps (“‘first’”); see prince.

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈprɪnsɪpəl/, /ˈprɪnsəpəl/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Homophones

• principal

[edit] Noun

principle (plural principles)

1. A fundamental assumption.

   We need some sort of principles to reason from.

2. A rule used to choose among solutions to a problem.

   The principle of least privilege holds that a process should only receive the permissions it needs.

3. (generally plural) Moral rule or aspect.

   I don't doubt your principles; you are clearly a person of principle.

   It's the principle of the thing; I won't do business with someone I can't trust.

4. (physics) A rule or law of nature, or the basic idea on how the laws of nature are applied.

   Bernoulli's principle

   The Pauli Exclusion Principle prevents two fermions from occupying the same state.

   The principle of the internal combustion engine

5. (somewhat dated) A fundamental essence, particularly one producing a given quality.

   Many believe that life is the result of some vital principle.

   Cathartine is the bitter, purgative principle of senna. — Gregory.

6. (obsolete) A beginning.

   Doubting sad end of principle unsound. — Spenser.

[edit] Usage notes

Principle (moral rule) is often confused with principal (most important.) Consult both definitions if in doubt.

The confused may care to remember that 'The principal alphabetic principle places A before E' as a reminder of the relative spelling.

[edit] Synonyms

• (moral rule or aspect) tenet

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Related terms

• prince
• principal
• principality
• principled

[edit] Translations

[edit] External links

• principle in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• principle in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911