Prin"ci*ple (?), 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.
The soul of man is an active
principle.
Tillotson.
3. An original faculty or endowment.
Nature in your principles hath set
[benignity].
Chaucer.
Those active principles whose direct and
ultimate object is the communication either of enjoyment or
suffering.
Stewart.
4. A fundamental truth; a comprehensive law or
doctrine, from which others are derived, or on which others are
founded; a general truth; an elementary proposition; a maxim; an
axiom; a postulate.
Therefore, leaving the principles of the
doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection.
Heb.
vi. 1.
A good principle, not rightly understood, may
prove as hurtful as a bad.
Milton.
5. A settled rule of action; a governing law
of conduct; an opinion or belief which exercises a directing influence
on the life and behavior; a rule (usually, a right rule) of conduct
consistently directing one's actions; as, a person of no
principle.
All kinds of dishonesty destroy our pretenses to an
honest principle of mind.
Law.
6. (Chem.) Any original inherent
constituent which characterizes a substance, or gives it its essential
properties, and which can usually be separated by analysis; -- applied
especially to drugs, plant extracts, etc.
Cathartine is the bitter, purgative principle of
senna.
Gregory.
Bitter principle, Principle of
contradiction, etc. See under Bitter,
Contradiction, etc.
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.
