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| prin·ci·ple [ prínssəp'l ] (plural prin·ci·ples) |
noun |
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| Definition: |
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1. basic assumption: an important underlying law or assumption required in a system of thought
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2. ethical standard: a standard of moral or ethical decision-making
  I buy recyclable products as a matter of principle.
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3. way of working: the basic way in which something works
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4. source: the primary source of something
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5. chemistry characteristic ingredient: an ingredient of a substance that gives the substance a special quality
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| [14th century. < Anglo-Norman, alteration of French principe< Latin principium< princip- "somebody who takes first place"] |
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| prin·ci·pled adjective |
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in principle in theory or in the essentials
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on principle because of a particular ethical standard that somebody believes in
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