All 5 Uses of

principal
in
Babbitt

You see—you see it's like this: In the first place, maybe the owner of the property exaggerated when he put it into my hands, and it certainly isn't my place to go proving my principal a liar!†
Chpt 4

principal = most important; or person that is most important

You know, my business isn't distributing roofing—it's principally keeping my competitors from distributing roofing.†
Chpt 5 *

principally = primarily or most importantly

You don't have to recite to some frosty-faced old dame that's trying to show off to the principal, and you can study any subject you want to.†
Chpt 6

principal = most important; or person that is most important

As Mr. Mott was suffering from slight infection and sore throat, G. F. Babbitt made the principal talk.†
Chpt 14

Her principal gesture was a pontifical but thoroughly ladylike blessing with two stubby fingers.†
Chpt 30

Definitions:

(1) (principal)
most important; or person who is most important
The exact meaning of principal can depend upon its context. For example:
- "the principal idea" or "the principal performer" -- the most important
- "the principal of the school" -- the person in charge
- "a principal of a company" -- an owner or person with controlling authority
- "the principal in a transaction" (as contrasted to the agent) -- the person on whose behalf an agent acts
(2) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)
meaning too rare to warrant focus:

See a comprehensive dictionary for specialized senses in finance, architecture, law, chemistry, and music.