principle
noun
[ ˈprɪnsɪp(ə)l ]
• a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behaviour or for a chain of reasoning.
• "the basic principles of justice"
Similar:
truth,
proposition,
concept,
idea,
theory,
postulate,
assumption,
basis,
fundamental,
essence,
essential,
philosophy,
• a general scientific theorem or law that has numerous special applications across a wide field.
• a fundamental source or basis of something.
• "the first principle of all things was water"
Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin principium ‘source’, principia (plural) ‘foundations’, from princeps, princip- ‘first, chief’.
on principle
• because of or in order to demonstrate one's adherence to a particular belief.
• "he refused, on principle, to pay the fine"
