prin·ci·ple /ˈprɪn(t)s(ə)pəl, səbəl/
 C原理,原則;道義,德行


 prin·ci·ple /ˈprɪn(t)səpəl/ 名詞
 原則,原理,成分,要素物質


 principle
 原理 原則


 Prin·ci·ple n.
 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.


 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.

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 principle
      n 1: a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can
           be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct; "their
           principles of composition characterized all their works"
           [syn: rule]
      2: a rule or standard especially of good behavior; "a man of
         principle"; "he will not violate his principles"
      3: a basic truth or law or assumption; "the principles of
         democracy"
      4: a rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the
         function of a complex system; "the principle of the
         conservation of mass"; "the principle of jet propulsion";
         "the right-hand rule for inductive fields" [syn: rule]
      5: rule of personal conduct [syn: precept]
      6: (law) an explanation of the fundamental reasons (especially
         an explanation of the working of some device in terms of
         laws of nature); "the rationale for capital punishment";
         "the principles of internal-combustion engines" [syn: rationale]