Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for PRIN'CI-PAL
PRIN'CESS-LIKE, or PRIN'CESS-LYPRIN'CI-PAL
PRIN'CI-PAL, a. [Fr. from L. principalis, from princeps.]
- Chief; highest in rank, character or respectability; as, the principal officers of a government; the principal men of a city, town or state. – Acts xxv. 1 Chron. xxiv.
- Chief; most important or considerable; as, the principal topics of debate; the principal arguments in a case; the principal points of law; the principal beams of a building; the principal productions of a country. Wisdom is the principal thing. – Prov. iv.
- In law, at principal challenge, is where the cause assigned carries with it prima facie evidence of partiality, favor or malice. – Blackstone.
- In music, fundamental.
Return to page 195 of the letter “P”.