principle

/'prinsəpl/

Thân thiện

A scientist explains the principle of buoyancy using a simple experiment.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A fundamental truth, law, or assumption: A basic idea or rule that forms the foundation for a system of belief, behavior, or reasoning.
   • A rule of personal conduct or good behavior: A moral standard or code that guides a person's actions.
   • A scientific law or rule explaining the working of a natural phenomenon or device: The fundamental reason or law governing how something in nature or a machine functions.
   • A basic generalization accepted as true: A foundational concept used as a basis for reasoning or conduct in a particular field.

Usage Examples

• As a fundamental truth or law:
  • Democracy is based on the principle of majority rule.
  • The principle of supply and demand governs the market.
• As a rule of personal conduct:
  • She is a woman of strong moral principles.
  • He refused to lie on principle.
• As a scientific law:
  • Archimedes' principle explains buoyancy.
  • The engine operates on the principle of internal combustion.

Advanced Usage

• In principle: Agreeing with or accepting the general idea of something, though details may need to be worked out.
  • We agree in principle, but the contract needs more work.
• As a matter of principle: Done because of one's moral or ethical beliefs, regardless of the consequences.
  • He resigned as a matter of principle after the scandal.

Variants and Related Words

• Principal (adj/noun):
• Principled (adj): Behaving according to one's moral principles.
  • He made a principled decision to tell the truth.

Synonyms

• Doctrine: A belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a group.
• Tenet: A principle or belief, especially one of the main principles of a religion or philosophy.
• Axiom: A statement or proposition which is regarded as being established, accepted, or self-evidently true.
• Precept: A general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought.

Related Phrases

• First principles: The fundamental concepts or assumptions on which a theory, system, or method is based.
  • Let's go back to first principles to solve this problem.
• Guiding principle: A rule or belief that influences one's actions and decisions.
  • Honesty is my guiding principle.

Idioms

• Principle of the thing: Used to emphasize that one's objection or action is based on morality or correctness, not on practical details.
  • It's not about the money; it's the principle of the thing.

Học thuật

Noun

1. (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
2. rule of personal conduct
3. 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
4. a basic truth or law or assumption
   • the principles of democracy
5. a rule or standard especially of good behavior
   • a man of principle
   • he will not violate his principles
6. 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

Từ đồng nghĩa

• rationale
• precept
• rule