subprincipal1
/ˈsʌbˌprɪnsɪpl/noun
1A person having a role or office next below that of principal; specifically a vice-principal of a university, school, or other educational institution.
- In early use with reference to the University of Aberdeen..
2 Music. A stop pitched an octave below the 8-foot or 16-foot principal stop on an organ; the double open diapason.
- The stop is of 32-foot or 16-foot pitch if on the pedal, and of 16-foot pitch if on a manual (normally the Great Organ); it may also be a rank of stopped pipes, half the length of their sounding pitch..
3 Architecture. An auxiliary rafter or principal brace. Compare principal. Now rare.
Origin
Mid 16th century. From sub- + principal.
subprincipal2
/ˈsʌbˌprɪnsɪpl/adjective
That is subordinate or secondary to that which is principal.
Origin
Early 17th century. From sub- + principal, originally after Middle French souz-principal.