first principles

Noun

Meaning

the elementary stages of any subject (usually plural)

Source: WordNet

Synonyms

ABCs alphabet rudiments ABC foundation basis element heart essential grammar groundwork fundamentals ABC's nitty-gritty meat and potatoes

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Antonyms

minor principles secondary concepts secondary principles complementary principles inferior principles irrelevant concepts

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Hypernyms

bedrock fundamentals basics basic principle fundamental principle

Examples

To have doubted one's own first principles is the mark of a civilized man. Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.

Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles. Confucius

A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. His good example has such an influence that the good men strive to imitate him, and the wicked are ashamed to lead a life so contrary to his example. Niccolò Machiavelli

Love and esteem are the first principles of friendship; it is always imperfect if either of these two are wanting. Eustace Budgell

I bought some books in order to learn the first principles of philosophy. Johann Heinrich Lambert

If a man knows what it is right to do, he does not require a formal reason. And a person that has been thus trained, either possesses these first principles already, or can easily acquire them. (Bk I, Ch II) Aristotle

Close letter words and terms

first premolar first prime minister of india first principle first print of film first print of movie first product