Meaning

noun a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct

noun a rule or standard especially of good behavior

noun a basic truth or law or assumption

originFrom Middle English principle, from Old French principe, from Latin prīncipium (“beginning, foundation”), from prīnceps (“first”). By surface analysis, prīmus (“first”) + -ceps (“catcher”); the former ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *preh₂- (“before”); see also prince.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0