• (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"
• 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; "the Principle of the conservation of mass"; "the Principle of jet propulsion"; "the right-hand rule for inductive fields"
• 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"
• a rule or standard especially of good behavior; "a man of Principle"; "he will not violate his Principles"
• rule of personal conduct

'Principle' in other languages