n. [ F. principe, L. principium beginning, foundation, fr. princeps, -cipis. See Prince. ] 1. Beginning; commencement. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] Doubting sad end of principle unsound. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. A source, or origin; that from which anything proceeds; fundamental substance or energy; primordial substance; ultimate element, or cause. [ 1913 Webster ] The soul of man is an active principle. Tillotson. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. An original faculty or endowment. [ 1913 Webster ] Nature in your principles hath set [ benignity ]. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ] Those active principles whose direct and ultimate object is the communication either of enjoyment or suffering. Stewart. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection. Heb. vi. 1. [ 1913 Webster ] A good principle, not rightly understood, may prove as hurtful as a bad. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] All kinds of dishonesty destroy our pretenses to an honest principle of mind. Law. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] Cathartine is the bitter, purgative principle of senna. Gregory. [ 1913 Webster ]
Bitter principle,
Principle of contradiction, etc. See under Bitter, Contradiction, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]
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