Principle - Definition

n 1: 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"
[syn: principle, rule]
2: a rule or standard especially of good behavior; "a man of
principle"; "he will not violate his principles"
3: a basic truth or law or assumption; "the principles of
democracy"
4: 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" [syn: principle, rule]
5: rule of personal conduct [syn: principle, precept]
6: (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" [syn: rationale,
principle]