principle /ˈprɪnsɪpəl/ CET4 TEM4

• 1. 

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

  例：

  Buck never allowed himself to be bullied into doing anything that went against his principles.

  巴克从来不让自己被迫做任何违背自己原则的事。

  例：

  It's not just a matter of principle.

  这不仅仅是个原则问题。

• 2. 

  N-COUNT The principles of a particular theory or philosophy are its basic rules or laws. (理论或哲学) 原理

  例：

  ...a violation of the basic principles of Marxism.

  …对马克思主义基本原理的一种违背。

• 3. 

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

  例：

  These people lack all understanding of scientific principles.

  这些人缺乏对科学原理的全面理解。

• 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. 原则上

  例：

  I agree with it in principle but I doubt if it will happen in practice.

  我原则上是同意它的，但我怀疑在实践中它是否会发生。

• 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. 在理论上

  例：

  Even assuming this to be in principle possible, it will not be achieved soon.

  即使假定这在理论上是可能的，它也不会很快就能实现。

• 6. 

  PHRASE If you refuse to do something on principle, you refuse to do it because of a particular belief that you have. 依据原则

  例：

  He would vote against it on principle.

  他会依据原则投票反对它。