¦ adjective
1. first in order of importance; main.
2. denoting an original sum of money invested or lent.
¦ noun
1. the most important or senior person in an organization or group.
the head of a school or college.
(in certain professions) a fully qualified practitioner.
2. a sum of money lent or invested, on which interest is paid.
3. a person for whom another acts as an agent or representative.
Law a person directly responsible for a crime.
4. a main rafter supporting purlins.
5. an organ stop sounding a set of pipes typically an octave above the diapason.
Derivatives
principalship noun
Origin
ME: via OFr. from L. principalis 'first, original', from princeps, princip- 'first, chief'.
Usage
On the confusion of
principal and
principle, see
usage at
principle.