Principle \Prin"ci*ple\, n. [F. principe, L. principium
beginning, foundation, fr. princeps, -cipis. See Prince.]
1. Beginning; commencement. [Obs.]
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Doubting sad end of principle unsound. --Spenser.
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2. A source, or origin; that from which anything proceeds;
fundamental substance or energy; primordial substance;
ultimate element, or cause.
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The soul of man is an active principle. --Tillotson.
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3. An original faculty or endowment.
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Nature in your principles hath set [benignity].
--Chaucer.
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Those active principles whose direct and ultimate
object is the communication either of enjoyment or
suffering. --Stewart.
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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.
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Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of
Christ, let us go on unto perfection. --Heb. vi. 1.
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A good principle, not rightly understood, may prove
as hurtful as a bad. --Milton.
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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.
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All kinds of dishonesty destroy our pretenses to an
honest principle of mind. --Law.
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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.
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Cathartine is the bitter, purgative principle of
senna. --Gregory.
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Bitter principle, Principle of contradiction, etc. See
under Bitter, Contradiction, etc.
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