principle

1. N-VAR A principle is a general belief about the way you should behave, which influences your behaviour. 原則

Buck never allowed himself to be bullied into doing anything that went against his principles. 巴尅從來不讓自己被迫做任何違背自己原則的事。

It's not just a matter of principle. 這不僅僅是個原則問題。

2. N-COUNT The principles of a particular theory or philosophy are its basic rules or laws. (理論或哲學) 原理

...a violation of the basic principles of Marxism. …對馬尅思主義基本原理的一種違背。

3. N-COUNT Scientific principles are general scientific laws which explain how something happens or works. (科學) 原理

These people lack all understanding of scientific principles. 這些人缺乏對科學原理的全麪理解。

4. PHRASE If you agree with something in principle, you agree in general terms to the idea of it, although you do not yet know the details or know if it will be possible. 原則上

I agree with it in principle but I doubt if it will happen in practice. 我原則上是同意它的，但我懷疑在實踐中它是否會發(fā)生。

5. PHRASE If something is possible in principle, there is no known reason why it should not happen, even though it has not happened before. 在理論上

Even assuming this to be in principle possible, it will not be achieved soon. 即使假定這在理論上是可能的，它也不會很快就能實現(xiàn)。

6. PHRASE If you refuse to do something on principle, you refuse to do it because of a particular belief that you have. 依據(jù)原則

He would vote against it on principle. 他會依據(jù)原則投票反對它。