seminal principle

American  

noun

Philosophy.

1. a potential, latent within an imperfect object, for attaining full development.

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Example Sentences

This was the first small seminal principle of the immense territorial acquisitions we have since made in India.

From The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 09 (of 12) by Burke, Edmund

I have nothing to say to that virtue which shoots up in full force by the native vigor of the seminal principle, in spite of the adverse soil and climate that it grows in.

From The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 06 (of 12) by Burke, Edmund

The nation was saved and that seminal principle of mischief which from the birth of the Government had gradually but inevitably brought on the rebellion was totally eradicated.

From A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents Volume 6, part 2: Andrew Johnson by Richardson, James D. (James Daniel)

There are spirits in which it developes the seminal principle of life; there are others in which it prematurely hastens the consummation of irreparable decay.

From Sermons Preached at Brighton Third Series by Robertson, Frederick William

In the Commedia for the first time Christianity wholly revolutionizes Art, and becomes its seminal principle.

From Among My Books Second Series by Lowell, James Russell