principal English · revision 4705

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1290|origins=la principalis}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈprɪn.sə.pəl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|principal]], [[bor|fro|principal|t=main, most important; princely]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) and directly from [[la|prīncipālis|t=first in importance, original]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(NODE 1998) from prīnceps, prīncipis “first man, chief, ruler”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from prīmus “first” and the root of capere “to take”,^(Etymonline) from [[ine-pro|*keh₂p-|alt=*kap-|t=to grasp]].^(Etymonline) It is related to [[prince]], [[principle]] and [[prime]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Chief, main, most important: about 1290 of things and 1297 of persons in the OED,^(OED 1989) about 1300 in Barnhart and Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The noun, a chief man or leading representative, is also from about 1300.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In law a principal was from about 1300 one who takes the leading part in an action.^(Etymonline) A ruler or governor is from the mid-14th century, and the head of a college or hall from the mid-15th century.^(Etymonline) The person in charge of a school is from 1827, in American English.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) A main sum of money, the money on which interest is paid, is from the early 15th century (1430–1431 in Barnhart).^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) The leading actor in a play is from the 16th century,^(Hoad 1986) and the pantomime ''principal boy'' from 1893.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1290 – chief, main, of things.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1300 – noun, chief man; in law, a main party.^(Etymonline)

+ * mid-14th century – a ruler.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1430–31 – a sum lent at interest.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * mid-15th century – head of a college.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1827 – head of a school.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1893 – ''principal boy''.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Most important; [[main]] or [[chief]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # The head of a school or college.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A leading performer in a play, opera or ballet.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A sum of money lent or invested, on which [[interest]] is paid.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(law)'' A person for whom an agent acts, or the main person responsible for a crime.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A main participant in a situation.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[principally]]

+ * [[principalship]]

+ * [[subprincipal]]

+ * [[principal ideal]]

+ * [[principal ideal domain]]

+ * [[principal quantum number]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[prince]]

+ * [[principle]]

+ * [[prime]]

+ * [[principality]]

+ * [[capture]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Principal and [[principle]] are often confused but share no meanings.^(AHD) Principle is only a noun, mostly meaning a basic truth or rule, while principal is both a noun and an adjective, the adjective meaning “chief, leading”.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}