‖n. pl. [ L. principium. See Principle. ] First principles; fundamental beginnings; elements; as. Newton's Principia. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Elementary. [ Obs. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ L. principians, p. pr. of principiare to begin, fr. principium. See Principle. ] Relating to principles or beginnings. [ R. ] Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t. [ See Principiant. ] To begin; to initiate. [ Obs. ] Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. Analysis into primary or elemental parts. [ Archaic ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]