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   Prin·ci·pal

   /ˈprinsəp(ə)l/

   

   adjective

   • 1. first in order of importance; main: "the country's principal cities"
   • 2. (of money) denoting an original sum invested or lent: "the principal amount of your investment"

   noun

   • 1. the person with the highest authority or most important position in an organization, institution, or group: "a design consultancy whose principal is based in San Francisco" Similar bosschiefchief executive (officer)CEOchairmanchairwomanmanaging directorMDpresidentdirectormanageremployerheadleaderrulercontrollerinformal:head honchogaffergovernorguv'nor
   • ▪ the head of a school, college, or other educational institution: "I was appointed principal of the new school" Similar head teacherheadheadmasterheadmistressdirectordeanrectorwardenchancellorvice chancellorpresidentprovostgovernorinformal:prexyprex
   • ▪ the leading performer in a concert, play, ballet, or opera: "the singing style of the principals" Similar leading actor/actressleading player/performerleading man/ladyleadstarprotagonistheroheroineleading roletitle roleprima donnadivaprima ballerina
   • ▪ the leading player in each section of an orchestra: "he had been an outstanding principal in the orchestra"
   • 2. a sum of money lent or invested, on which interest is paid: "the winners are paid from the interest without even touching the principal" Similar capital sumcapitalcapital fundsworking capitalfinancial resourcesmoneydebtloan
   • 3. a person for whom another acts as an agent or representative: "stockbrokers in Tokyo act as agents rather than as principals"
   • 4. the person directly responsible for a crime.
   • ▪ each of the combatants in a duel. historical
   • 5. a main rafter supporting purlins.
   • 6. an organ stop sounding a main register of open flue pipes typically an octave above the diapason: "all the principals are on one manual"

   Word Origin Middle English: via Old French from Latin principalis ‘first, original’, from princeps, princip- ‘first, chief’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. principalship noun

   Scrabble Points: 15

   • P

     3

   • R

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   • I

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   • N

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   • C

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   • I

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   • P

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   • A

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   • L

     1

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