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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.