seminal principle

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

QUIZZES

Did you ever collect all those state quarters? Put them to good use on this quiz about curious state monikers and the facts around them.

Question 1 of 8

Mississippi’s nickname comes from the magnificent trees that grow there. What is it?

But the qualities Mario Cuomo brought to public life—compassion, integrity, commitment to principle—remain in short supply today.
President Cuomo Would’ve Been a Lion|Jonathan Alter|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Nixon said defending the two islands was “a matter of principle.”
The World’s Toughest Political Quiz|Jeff Greenfield|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If the noble experiment of American democracy is to mean anything, it is fidelity to the principle of freedom.
The Sony Hack and America’s Craven Capitulation To Terror|David Keyes|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the long sweep of LGBT equality, it could have stood as a seminal moment.
Is Gay Marriage Going Away in 2016?|David Freedlander|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Let the record show that espousing principles is common; acting on principle is rare.
Justice Ginsburg Shouldn’t Quit Just Yet|Kevin Bleyer|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Many so-called "humming tones" are given for practice, but in accepting them observe whether the foregoing principle is obeyed.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
The grand thing is to have each of your five fingers go "dum, dum," an equal number of times, which is the principle of all three!
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
He had hitherto lived for universal man:—his days should terminate on a different principle.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
The gauge of railways in Great Britain was not fixed upon any scientific principle.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
I have erected above 100 steam-engines on this principle, but never met with one accident or complaint against them.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick