a universal and fundamental law or, doctrine, or truth
a rule or code of conduct
devotion to the rules of right conduct and morality; integrity
a person of principle
the essence of or basic idea behind something
a law or fact of nature underlying the working of a natural phenomenon or an artificial system or device
a primary source; a fundamental element
the opposing principles of heat and cold
an ingredient, e.g. a chemical, that exhibits or imparts a characteristic quality
in principle
with respect to fundamentals; in theory
on principle
on the basis of one's beliefs or moral code
[Middle English, modification of early French principe, from Latin principium beginning, from princip-, princeps: see prince]