noun
                                                a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
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                                                                                                Examples
                                                
                                                                                                        - their principles of composition characterized all their works
 
                                                                                        
                                                noun
                                                a rule or standard especially of good behavior
                                                
                                                                                                Examples
                                                
                                                                                                        - a man of principle
- he will not violate his principles
 
                                                                                        
                                                noun
                                                a basic truth or law or assumption
                                                
                                                                                                Examples
                                                
                                                                                                        - the principles of democracy
 
                                                                                        
                                                noun
                                                a rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system
                                                                                                Synonyms
                                                
                                                
                                                                                                Examples
                                                
                                                                                                        - the principle of the conservation of mass
- the principle of jet propulsion
- the right-hand rule for inductive fields
 
                                                                                        
                                                noun
                                                rule of personal conduct
                                                                                                Synonyms
                                                
                                                
                                                                                             
                                                                                        
                                                noun
                                                (law) an explanation of the fundamental reasons (especially an explanation of the working of some device in terms of laws of nature)
                                                                                                Synonyms
                                                
                                                
                                                                                                Examples
                                                
                                                                                                        - the rationale for capital punishment
- the principles of internal-combustion engines