Nature in your principles hath set [benignity].
Chaucer.
Those active principles whose direct and ultimate object is the
communication either of enjoyment or suffering.
Stewart.
4. A fundamental truth; a comprehensive law or doctrine, from which
others are derived, or on which others are founded; a general truth; an
elementary proposition; a maxim; an axiom; a postulate.
Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us
go on unto perfection.
Heb. vi. 1.
A good principle, not rightly understood, may prove as hurtful as a
bad.
Milton.
5. A settled rule of action; a governing law of conduct; an opinion or
belief which exercises a directing influence on the life and behavior;
a rule (usually, a right rule) of conduct consistently directing one's
actions; as, a person of no principle.
All kinds of dishonesty destroy our pretenses to an honest
principle of mind.
Law.
6. (Chem.) Any original inherent constituent which characterizes a
substance, or gives it its essential properties, and which can usually
be separated by analysis; -- applied especially to drugs, plant
extracts, etc.
Cathartine is the bitter, purgative principle of senna.
Gregory.
Bitter principle, Principle of contradiction, etc. See under Bitter,
Contradiction, etc.
Prin"ci*ple (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Principled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Principling (?).] To equip with principles; to establish, or fix, in
certain principles; to impress with any tenet, or rule of conduct, good
or ill.
Governors should be well principled.
L'Estrange.
Let an enthusiast be principled that he or his teacher is inspired.
Locke.
{ Prin"cock (?), Prin"cox (?), } n. [Prim + cock.] A coxcomb; a pert
boy. [Obs.]
Prink (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Prinked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prinking.]
[Probably a nasalized form of prick. See Prick, v. t., and cf. Prig,
Prank.] To dress or adjust one's self for show; to prank.
Prink, v. t. To prank or dress up; to deck fantastically. "And prink
their hair with daisies." Cowper.
Prink"er (?), n. One who prinks.