principle
[ prin-suh-puhl ]
/ ˈprɪn sə pəl /
noun
Idioms for principle
- according to personal rules for right conduct; as a matter of moral principle: He refused on principle to agree to the terms of the treaty.
- according to a fixed rule, method, or practice: He drank hot milk every night on principle.
in principle,
in essence or substance; fundamentally: to accept a plan in principle.
on principle,
Origin of principle
1350–1400; Middle English, alteration of Middle French
principe or Latin
prīncipium, on the analogy of
manciple. See
principium
synonym study for principle
1–3.
Principle,
canon,
rule imply something established as a standard or test, for measuring, regulating, or guiding conduct or practice. A
principle is a general and fundamental truth that may be used in deciding conduct or choice:
to adhere to principle.
Canon, originally referring to an edict of the Church (a meaning that it still retains), is used of any principle, law, or critical standard that is officially approved, particularly in aesthetics and scholarship:
canons of literary criticism. A
rule, usually something adopted or enacted, is often the specific application of a principle:
the golden rule.
usage note for principle
See
principal.
Words nearby principle
British Dictionary definitions for on principle (1 of 2)
British Dictionary definitions for on principle (2 of 2)
principle
/ (ˈprɪnsɪpəl) /
noun
Word Origin for principle
C14: from Latin
principium beginning, basic tenet
usage for principle
Principle and
principal are often confused:
the principal (not
principle)
reason for his departure; the plan was approved in principle (not
in principal)
Medical definitions for on principle
principle
[ prĭn′sə-pəl ]
n.
A basic truth, law, or assumption.
A rule or law concerning the functioning of natural phenomena or mechanical processes.
One of the elements composing a chemical compound, especially one that gives some special quality or effect.
The essential ingredient in a drug.
Idioms and Phrases with on principle (1 of 2)
on principle
On moral or ethical grounds. As James Russell Lowell wrote about Alexander Pope in 1871, “There was a time when I could not read Pope, but disliked him on principle.” [First half of 1800s]
According to a fixed rule or practice. For example, The police were locking up the demonstrators on principle. [First half of 1800s]
on general principle. For no special reason, in general, as in Dean won't touch broccoli on general principle. [First half of 1800s]
Idioms and Phrases with on principle (2 of 2)
principle
see in principle; on principle.