principium

[prin-sip-ee-uh m]

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noun, plural prin·cip·i·a [prin-sip-ee-uh] /prɪnˈsɪp i ə/.

a principle.

Origin of principium

1575–85; < Latin prīncipium literally, that which is first, equivalent to prīncip- (see prince) + -ium -ium

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for principium

regulation, proposal, rule, ethic, foundation, doctrine, basis, truth, proposition, precept, assumption, fundamental, convention, axiom, component, element, principle, factor, law, cornerstone

Examples from the Web for principium

Historical Examples of principium

Such a one has broken the fetters of the principium individuationis.
The Basis of Morality
Arthur Schopenhauer
He traces back its origin to God himself—ab Jove principium.
What is Property?
P. J. Proudhon
Aiunt hretici temporis nostri quod duo sunt principia rerum, principium lucis et principium tenebrarum, &c.
View of the State of Europe during the Middle Ages, Vol. 3 (of 3)
Henry Hallam
Thus, the general rule would be to begin with Homer: a Jove principium.
Studies on Homer and the Homeric Age, Vol. 1 of 3
W. E. Gladstone
The principium or perfection of cognition is to be found in the immediate proposition, true per se.
Aristotle
George Grote

British Dictionary definitions for principium

principium

noun plural -ia (-ɪə)

(usually plural) a principle, esp a fundamental one

Word Origin for principium

C17: Latin: an origin, beginning

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012