in principle

prin·ci·ple

P0563200 (prĭn′sə-pəl)n.1. A basic truth, law, or assumption: the principles of democracy.2. a. A rule or standard, especially of good behavior: a man of principle.b. The collectivity of moral or ethical standards or judgments: a decision based on principle rather than expediency.3. A fixed or predetermined policy or mode of action.4. A basic or essential quality or element determining intrinsic nature or characteristic behavior: the principle of self-preservation.5. A rule or law concerning the functioning of natural phenomena or mechanical processes: the principle of jet propulsion.6. Chemistry One of the elements that compose a substance, especially one that gives some special quality or effect.7. A basic source. See Usage Note at principal.Idioms: in principle With regard to the basics: an idea that is acceptable in principle. on principle According to or because of principle.

[Middle English, alteration of Old French principe, from Latin prīncipium, from prīnceps, prīncip-, leader, emperor; see per in Indo-European roots.]

Thesaurus

Adv.

in principle - with regard to fundamentals although not concerning details; "in principle, we agree"in essence, in theory

Translations

原则上

principle

(ˈprinsəpəl) noun1. a general truth, rule or law. the principle of gravity.原则2. the theory by which a machine etc works. the principle of the jet engine.原理ˈprinciples noun plural one's own personal rules or standards of behaviour. It is against my principles to borrow money. 信念，行为准则 in principle in general, as opposed to in detail. 原则上on principle because of one's principles. I never borrow money, on principle.根据原则

high moral principles (not principals).

in principle

Generally, without regard to the specific details. The government has agreed in principle that it will cover the cost of building a new school, but so far we haven't seen a clear proposal on how this would be accomplished.See also: principle

in principle

Fundamentally, in general, but not necessarily in all particulars. For example, The diplomats accepted the idea in principle but would rely on experts to work out all the details . [Early 1800s] See also: principle

in ˈprinciple

1 according to the general principles or theory: In principle the machine should work in any climate, but we haven’t actually tried it out abroad yet.
2 in general but not necessarily in detail: In principle I agree with you, but I’m not sure that it’s the most effective solution to the problem.See also: principle

in principle

With regard to the basics: an idea that is acceptable in principle.See also: principle

in principle

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Synonyms for in principle

adv with regard to fundamentals although not concerning details

Synonyms