[] a law, rule or theory that sth is based on法则；原则；原理◆The principles of banking have not changed much over the centuries.几个世纪以来，银行业的原则没有多大改变。a general or scientific law that explains how sth works or why sth happens定律；工作原理◆the principle that heat rises热气上升的定律SYNlaw (5) ●in ˈprincipleif sth can be done in principle, there is no reason why it should not be done although it has not been done yet理论上；原则上◆In principle, such loans have always been available.原则上，这样的贷款一直可以提供。in general but not in detail基本上；大体上◆The companies reached an agreement in principle last week.上周，这些公司基本上达成了协议。ability-to-pay principle accounting principle benefit principle Pareto's principle statement of principles