| Main Entry: | principle |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | law, standard |
Synonyms: |
assumption, axiom, basis, canon, convention, criterion, dictum, doctrine, dogma, ethic, form, formula, foundation, fundamental, golden rule, ground, maxim, origin, postulate, precept, prescript, principium, proposition, regulation, rule, source, theorem, truth, usage, verity |
| Notes: | principle means fundamental, as in beliefs or truths or understandings and it is always a noun; principal can be a noun or adjective meaning chief or of first importance |
| Main Entry: | base |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | fundamental part |
Synonyms: |
authority, backbone, basis, chief constituent, core, essence, essential, evidence, foundation, fundamental, groundwork, heart, important part, infrastructure, key, origin, primary element, principal, principle, root, source, underpinning |
| Main Entry: | basis |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | foundation for belief, action |
Synonyms: |
antecedent, assumption, authority, axiom, backbone, background, backing, base, bedrock, cause, center, chief ingredient, core, crux, data, dictum, essence, essential, evidence, explanation, footing, fundamental, hard fact, heart, infrastructure, justification, keynote, keystone, law, nexus, nucleus, postulate, premise, presumption, presupposition, principal element, principle, proof, reason, root, rudiment, sanction, security, source, substratum, support, theorem, theory, underpinning, warrant |
| Main Entry: | beginning |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | origin, cause |
Synonyms: |
antecedent, birth, conception, egg, embryo, font, fount, fountain, fountainhead, generation, genesis, germ, heart, principle, resource, root, seed, stem, well |
Antonyms: |
conclusion, outcome, result |
| Main Entry: | belief |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | something regarded as true |
Synonyms: |
assumption, concept, credence, credo, creed, doctrine, dogma, faith, fundamental, gospel, gospel truth, hypothesis, idea, ideology, law, opinion, postulate, precept, principle, say-so, tenet, theorem, theory |
Antonyms: |
disbelief, nonbelief |
| Main Entry: | bottom |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | base, core |
Synonyms: |
basis, bottom line, cause, essence, essentiality, ground, heart, mainspring, marrow, origin, pith, principle, quintessence, root, soul, source, stuff, substance, virtuality |
Antonyms: |
exteriority, outside |
| Main Entry: | canon |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | rule, edict |
Synonyms: |
assize, catalogue, command, commandment, criterion, declaration, decree, decretum, dictate, doctrine, dogma, formula, law, list, maxim, order, ordinance, precept, principle, regulation, roll, screed, standard, statute, table, tenet, touchstone, yardstick |
| Notes: | a cannon is a large mounted artillery gun or a large artillery gun that is on wheels that fires heavy projectiles while a canon is an ecclesiastical law or code of laws established by a church council or a priest who is a member of a cathedral chapter |
| Main Entry: | cause |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | agent, originator |
Synonyms: |
account, agency, aim, antecedent, author, basis, beginning, causation, consideration, creator, determinant, doer, element, end, explanation, foundation, genesis, ground, grounds, incitement, inducement, instigation, leaven, mainspring, maker, matter, motivation, motive, object, occasion, origin, prime mover, principle, producer, purpose, root, source, spring, stimulation |
Antonyms: |
consequence, development, effect, end, fruit, issue, outcome, outgrowth, product, result |
| Main Entry: | cause |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | belief; undertaking for belief |
Synonyms: |
attempt, conviction, creed, enterprise, faith, goal, ideal, intention, movement, object, objective, plan, principles, purpose |
| Main Entry: | conscience |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | moral sense |
Synonyms: |
censor, compunction, demur, duty, inner voice, morals, principles, qualms, right and wrong, scruples, shame, small voice, squeam, still small voice, superego |
Antonyms: |
immorality |