1 N-VAR [usually poss NOUN] [adjective NOUN] 道德原则;行为准则;操守 A principle is a general belief that you have about the way you should behave, which influences your behaviour. 道德原则;行为准则;操守
2 N-COUNT [adjective NOUN] 法则;原则;原理 The principles of a particular theory or philosophy are its basic rules or laws. 法则;原则;原理
SYN belief, rule, standard, attitude
3 N-COUNT [usually adjective NOUN] (科学)原理,定律 Scientific principles are general scientific laws which explain how something happens or works. (科学)原理,定律
SYN rule, idea, law, theory
4 PHRASE 大体上;基本上 If you agree with something in principle, you agree in general terms to the idea of it, although you do not yet know the details or know if it will be possible. 大体上;基本上
SYN in general, generally, all things considered, on the whole
5 PHRASE 从理论上说;按道理 If something is possible in principle, there is no known reason why it should not happen, even though it has not happened before. 从理论上说;按道理
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Even assuming this to be in principle possible, it will not be achieved soon.
即使假定这在理论上行得通,它也不可能于短期内实现。
6 PHRASE 按照原则;根据信念 If you refuse to do something on principle, you refuse to do it because of a particular belief that you have. 按照原则;根据信念
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He would vote against it on principle.
他会根据原则投反对票。
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His father, on principle, did not like to hear requests for money.
从原则上来说,他父亲不喜欢别人借钱。
Quotations
It is always easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them Alfred Adler
The most useful thing about a principle is that it can always be sacrificed to expediency W. Somerset Maugham The Circle
Usage | principle and principal |
Principal and principle are often confused because they are pronounced exactly alike. A principle is a rule, whereas a principal is a person in charge of a school: The principal handed out a list of principles for student behaviour in class. The adjective principal means "most important": The principal reason for going to school is to become educated. |
Word Link | prin ≈ first, beginning : principal, principality, principle |
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