seminal principle

American  

noun

Philosophy.

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

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Example Sentences

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

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)

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

He has also erred in turning aside from the rich and manifold life of the emotions, for the emotions are not in themselves evil, they are the seminal principle of all virtue.

From Creed And Deed A Series of Discourses by Adler, Felix

"Accordingly, whatever seemed the most subtle or pliable, as well as universal element in the mass of the visible world, was marked as the seminal principle whose successive developments and transformations produced all the rest."

From Christianity and Greek Philosophy or, the relation between spontaneous and reflective thought in Greece and the positive teaching of Christ and His Apostles by Cocker, B. F. (Benjamin Franklin)