principle
/ˈpɹɪnsəpəl/
noun
- 1
A fundamental assumption or guiding belief.
“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
(sometimes pluralized) Moral rule or aspect.
“I don't doubt your principles.”
- 4
A rule or law of nature, or the basic idea on how the laws of nature are applied.
“Bernoulli's Principle”
- 5
A fundamental essence, particularly one producing a given quality.
“Many believe that life is the result of some vital principle.”
- 6
A beginning.
- 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.
Synonyms
verb
- 1
To equip with principles; to establish, or fix, in certain principles; to impress with any tenet or rule of conduct.
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