Both Uses of
principle
in
To Kill a Mockingbird
- He was a year older than I, and I avoided him on principle: he enjoyed everything I disapproved of, and disliked my ingenuous diversions.†
p. 88.8 *on principle = because of a basic rule or belief
- Not that we'd ever done anything, it was the principle of the thing.†
p. 289.6principle = basic rule or belief
Definitions:
-
(1)
(principle) a basic rule or beliefThe exact meaning of principle can depend upon its context. For example:
- "our guiding principles" -- basic moral beliefs that guide decisions and behavior
- "electromagnetic principles" -- rules describing how the world works
- "She lacks principles." -- lacks moral guidelines
- "We agree in principle." -- about important basic beliefs
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
See a comprehensive dictionary for more specialized senses including one in chemistry.