PRINCIPAL Meaning and
Definition
-
Principal can refer to different meanings depending on the context. As a noun, "principal" can define the person who holds the highest position or authority in an organization, institution, or company, such as a school principal or the principal of a law firm. It is the person who is in charge of making important decisions, directing and managing operations, and assuming overall responsibility.
The term "principal" can also be used to describe the original amount of money invested or borrowed. In financial contexts, it refers to the main sum of money before any interest or additional amounts are added or subtracted. For instance, when repaying a loan, the principal is the portion of the loan balance that is being paid off, while the interest is the additional amount being paid for borrowing the money.
In the field of art, literature, or entertainment, "principal" can refer to the main character or protagonist in a story or play. The principal character plays a significant role in driving the narrative or plot, and their actions and decisions often have a direct impact on the story's outcome.
Lastly, in mathematics, "principal" can describe the main or primary value or quantity in a given set. It can also be used to distinguish the positive value of a measurement or angle, as opposed to the negative or smaller value. The principal value is often considered the most important or commonly used value within a given mathematical context.
-
• Highest in rank or character; the most important; chief; leading; capital; essential.
• A head or chief; one who takes the lead; the governor or chief in authority; the proprietor or head of a school or academy; the capital or chief sum, as one lent on interest.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for PRINCIPAL *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for PRINCIPAL
Etymology of PRINCIPAL
The word "principal" derives from the Latin word "principālis", which is derived from the noun "princeps". "Princeps" combines the Latin words "primus" meaning "first" and "capere" meaning "to take". Hence, "princeps" originally meant "the first to take" or "the first in order". Over time, its meaning expanded to refer to a prominent or leading person. The adjective form "principālis" developed to mean "belonging to a first position" or "of chief importance". This gave rise to the use of "principal" in various contexts, such as the head of a school or a main sum of money.
Similar spelling words for PRINCIPAL
- Principial,
- principalia,
- principle,
- principally,
- princely,
- pleasure-principle,
- PRINCIPLE,,
- principal",
- acceleration-principle,
- Preying,
- Six-principle,
- agreement-in-principle,
- pronucleus,
- principl,
- principle-based,
- prince,
- vice-principal,
- principale,
- principality,
- principato,
- principe,
- uncertainty-principle,
- co-principal,
- principled,
- principal-agent,
- principly,
- agreements-in-principle,
- principen.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
