All 7 Uses of

principle
in
The Picture of Dorian Gray - 13 chapter version

I like persons better than principles.†
Chpt 1 *

principles = basic rules or beliefs

He was always late on principle, his principle being that punctuality is the thief of time.†
Chpt 3

on principle = because of a basic rule or belief

He was always late on principle, his principle being that punctuality is the thief of time.†
Chpt 3

principle = basic rule or belief

She has not merely art, consummate art-instinct, in her, but she has personality also; and you have often told me that it is personalities, not principles, that move the age.†
Chpt 3

principles = basic rules or beliefs

The consequence is that he has nothing left for life but his prejudices, his principles, and his common sense.†
Chpt 3

He sought to elaborate some new scheme of life that would have its reasoned philosophy and its ordered principles and find in the spiritualizing of the senses its highest realization.†
Chpt 9

I do it on principle.†
Chpt 13

on principle = because of a basic rule or belief

Definitions:

(1) (principle)
a basic rule or belief
The 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.