principles
English meaning: Principles
Definition
A fundamental assumption or guiding belief.
Example
“We need some sort of principles to reason from.”
Another example: “The constitution is founded on the principles of equality and justice.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Neutral to formal; denotes fundamental truths, rules, or beliefs that guide conduct or reasoning. Common in ethics, science, law, and business. Plural of 'principle' (not to be confused with 'principal').
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'principium' (beginning, foundation), from 'princeps' (first, chief); entered English via French in the 14th century.
Synonyms
- tenets
- precepts
- doctrines
- standards
- rules
Related Words
- principle
- equality
- outlined
- socialism
- democracy
- guidelines
- governance
- declaration
- fundamental
- ethics
Common Collocations
- guiding principles
- basic principles
- moral principles
- first principles
- core principles
- fundamental principles
Word Forms
principle (n, sing.); principles (pl.); principled (adj)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B