Online English Dictionary

1. 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"

2. a rule or standard especially of good behavior; "a man of principle"; "he will not violate his principles"

3. a basic truth or law or assumption; "the principles of democracy"

4. 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"

5. rule of personal conduct

6. (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"

This software and database is provided "as is" and Princeton University makes no representations or warranties, express or implied. by way of example, but not limitation, Princeton University makes no representations or warranties of merchant - ability or fitness for any particular purpose or that the use of the licensed software, database or documentation will not infringe any third party patents, copyrights, trademarks or other rights.