principle /prinˈsi-pl/ noun- A source, root, origin
- A fundamental or primary cause
- A beginning (obsolete)
- Essential nature
- A theoretical basis or assumption from which to argue, etc
- An instinct or natural tendency (as in the pleasure principle), or a faculty of the mind
- A source of action
- A scientific law, esp as explaining a natural phenomenon or the way a machine works
- A fundamental truth on which others are founded or from which they spring
- A law or doctrine from which others are derived
- A general rule that guides one's (moral) conduct
- Consistent regulation of behaviour according to moral law
- The morality or moral aspect of eg a policy or course of action
- A norm of procedure (as in the principle of first come first served)
- A component (obsolete)
- A constituent of a substance that gives it its distinctive character (chem)
- Motive power or the source of it (Milton)
transitive verb (obsolete)- To ground in principles
- To impress a doctrine on
ORIGIN: L principium beginning, from princeps prinˈcipled adjective - Holding certain principles
- Having, or behaving in accordance with, good principles
- Invoking or founded on a principle
principle of contradiction noun The logical principle that a thing cannot both be and not be principle of equivalence noun A statement of the theory of relativity, shown by an observer being unable to distinguish whether the laboratory is in a uniform gravitational field or in an accelerated frame of reference principle of least time noun A statement that the path of a ray, eg of light, from one point to another will be that taking the least time (also Fermat's principle of least time) principle of relativity noun A universal law of nature stating that the laws of mechanics are not affected by a uniform rectilinear motion of the system of co-ordinates to which they are referred (see also relativity under relate) principle of sufficient reason see under reason principle of the excluded middle noun (logic) The principle that a thing must be either one thing or its contradictory first principles Fundamental principles, not deduced from others in principle - So far as general character or theory is concerned without respect to details or particular application
- Broadly or basically
- In theory
on principle - On grounds of (moral) principle
- For the sake of obeying or asserting a particular principle of morality or wisdom
reason /rēˈz(ə)n/ noun- Ground, support or justification of an act or belief
- A premise, esp when placed after its conclusion
- A motive or inducement
- An underlying explanatory principle
- A cause
- The mind's power of drawing conclusions and determining right and truth
- The exercise of this power
- Sanity
- Conformity to what is fairly to be expected or called for
- Moderation
- Fair treatment, eg satisfaction by a duel, or doing one's fair share in drinking (archaic)
- A remark, a sententious saying (Shakespeare)
- Proportion (Spenser)
intransitive verb- To exercise the faculty of reason
- To deduce inferences from premises
- To argue
- To debate
- To converse (Shakespeare)
transitive verb- To examine or discuss
- To debate
- To think out
- To set forth logically
- To bring by reasoning
ORIGIN: Fr raison, from L ratiō, -ōnis, from rērī, ratus to think reaˈsonable adjective - Endowed with reason
- Rational
- Acting according to reason
- Agreeable to reason
- Just
- Not excessive
- Not expensive
- Moderate
adverb (now non-standard)Reasonably reaˈsonableness noun reaˈsonably adverb reaˈsoned adjective Argued out reaˈsoner noun reaˈsoning noun reaˈsonless adjective by reason of - On account of
- In consequence of
do someone reason (obsolete) - To give someone the satisfaction of a duel
- To drink without shirking
it stands to reason It is obvious or logical listen to reason Listen to, and take heed of, the reasonable explanation, course of action, etc no reason but (Shakespeare) No reason for it being otherwise, hence, no possible alternative principle of sufficient reason That nothing happens without a sufficient reason why it should be as it is and not otherwise pure reason Reason absolutely independent of experience within or in reason Within the bounds of what is possible, sensible, etc |