principia
- noun
- /prɪnˈsɪpiə/
- Formal
:
principios
- The title of Newton's monumental work, Philosophiae naturalis principia mathematica, commonly known as the Principia, seems to declare unambiguously the intentions of its author: to provide a philosophy of nature based on mathematical principles.
Examples
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Many scientists refer to Newton's Principia as the starting point for modern physics.
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And it was Principia, the principles, the mathematical principles that guide the heavens.
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Isaac Newton's Principia laid the foundation for classical mechanics.
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The Principia of economics provide essential guidelines for understanding market behavior.
Synonyms
633
3.8
A basic idea or law that explains how something works
182
3.5
The basic ideas and facts that support a belief, plan, or system
60
3.8
A basic idea or rule that something depends on
46
5.3
A very important idea or part that something depends on
37
4.2
An important idea or thing that other things depend on
22
2.7
An important rule or idea that forms the base for other knowledge
14
4.1
A basic rule that other ideas come from
8
1.0
Important facts or skills you learn first in a subject
7
5.8
Basic ideas and facts that form the foundation of a subject
5
1.0
The simple first things you must learn about a subject
1
9.4
A basic idea that something is built on
Basic ideas you learn first when studying a subject
A basic idea or starting point that explains other things
How Fundamental
Surface Forms
Etymology
Principia comes from the Latin principium, which means 'beginning' or 'first thing'. It is the same root as English principle and principal, so principia refers to the basic rules or first ideas of a subject and is used for foundational works or theories.