principles
plural of “principle” — a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
An inflected form of principle · plural.
How often you will meet it
Rank 2,939 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 5,582 times across 139,755 chapters — 0.003% of every word in the library.
What it means
noun
- a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct also: rule their principles of composition characterized all their works
- a rule or standard especially of good behavior a man of principlehe will not violate his principles
- a basic truth or law or assumption the principles of democracy
- a rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system also: rule the principle of the conservation of massthe principle of jet propulsion
- rule of personal conduct also: precept
- (law) an explanation of the fundamental reasons (especially an explanation of the working of some device in terms of laws of nature) also: rationale the rationale for capital punishmentthe principles of internal-combustion engines
principles in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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Her aunt had carefully instructed her in Christian principles.
Nonsense Novels · Stephen Leacock · Chapter 2
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I 've no patience with your principles, it's such nonsense.
Plays : First Series · John Galsworthy · Chapter 1
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Such a result would involve no violation of the principles of democratic government.
John Marr and Other Poems · Herman Melville · Chapter 2
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I like persons better than principles, and I like persons with no principles better than anything else in the world.
The Picture of Dorian Gray · Oscar Wilde · Chapter 1
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Why now, I'm thinking of taking you, for I see you're a likely lad, and one that will argue for his principles.
The Belted Seas · Arthur Colton · Chapter 1