Dictionary formprincipium, principii(neuter)
Translation
beginning, origin; principle
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Grammar
Cases
| Case | singular | plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativethe subject | principium | principia |
| Vocativecalling someone: O ... | principium | principia |
| Accusativethe direct object; after ad, in (into), per | principium | principia |
| Genitiveof | principii | principiorum |
| Dativeto, for | principio | principiis |
| Ablativeby, with, from; after a, ab, cum, de, e, ex, in (in), sine | principio | principiis |
Examples
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In the beginning was the word.
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The beginning of the war was a small thing.
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We heard the matter from the beginning.
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We are looking for the first principles of things.
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The end answers to the beginning.
Principium, principii, n., second declension, from princeps, which is primus plus capio, "the one who takes first place". So a principium is where a thing takes its start.
It leads two lives. The plain temporal one - in principio, the phrase that opens both Genesis and John in the Vulgate, and a principio, "from the outset". And the philosophical one, where the plural principia renders the Greek archai, the first elements or fundamental laws, which is the sense in Newton's title. Military prose adds a third: principia is the front line of a legion, and then the headquarters at the centre of a camp. English took principle and principal from the same stem and has been confusing them ever since; Latin is not responsible.
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principium: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Latin word "principium" (beginning, origin; principle): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is taught in chapter 3, lesson 12: principium, aetas, articulus and 10 more words.