principle

prin|ci|ple [ `prınsəpl ] noun ***

1. ) count a basic belief, theory, or rule that has a major influence on the way in which something is done:

Excellent customer service should be our guiding principle.

principle of: It is a basic principle of English law that a person is innocent until proven guilty.

principle that: the principle that education should be free to everyone

a ) often plural one of the major ideas or theories that a system of beliefs is based on, for example in religion or politics:

Marxist/Buddhist/democratic principles

the principles and ideals that the party stands for

2. ) count usually plural a basic rule or belief about what is right and morally good, that influences the way you behave and the way you treat other people:

He seems to have absolutely no principles.

against someone's principles: It was against their principles to join the military.

stick to/stand by your principles: Bennett stuck to his principles, and refused to name the source of his information.

a ) uncount morally correct behavior:

a woman of principle

on principle: We are opposed on principle to any collaboration with terrorists.

a point/matter/issue of principle: There are some basic issues of principle relating to the debate about abortion.

3. ) count a scientific theory or basic natural law that explains the way in which something works:

Windmills differ in design, but all operate on exactly the same principle.

Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle

principle of: It was Darwin who first identified the principle of female choice.

in principle

1. ) used for saying that something is possible in theory, although it has not yet been tried:

In principle, there is no reason why the same cloning techniques should not work on human cells.

2. ) used for saying that you agree/disagree with something as a result of your moral, religious, or political beliefs:

We're opposed in principle to any form of capital punishment.