principle : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: principle	by the DICT Development Group
3 results for principle
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
principle n 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" Synonym(s): principle, rule 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"; "the right-hand rule for inductive fields" Synonym(s): principle, rule rule of personal conduct Synonym(s): principle, precept (law) an explanation of the fundamental reasons (especially an explanation of the working of some device in terms of laws of nature); "the rationale for capital punishment"; "the principles of internal-combustion engines" Synonym(s): rationale, principle
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Principle \Prin"ciple\, n. [F. principe, L. principium beginning, foundation, fr. princeps, -cipis. See {Prince}.] 1. Beginning; commencement. [Obs.] Doubting sad end of principle* unsound. --Spenser. 2. A source, or origin; that from which anything proceeds; fundamental substance or energy; primordial substance; ultimate element, or cause.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Principle \Prin"ci*ple\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Principled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Principling}.] To equip with principles; to establish, or fix, in certain principles; to impress with any tenet, or rule of conduct, good or ill. Governors should be well principled. --L'Estrange. Let an enthusiast be principled that he or his teacher is inspired. --Locke.