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The word, principal, comes from the Latin principalis "first in importance" and is related to the title of prince. You can see the relation when you think about its meanings — the head of a school, the starring actor in a film, and the client of an agent.
"Principal" refers to the primary leader, the main financial amount, or the most significant aspect in various contexts. Understanding the term's use and flexibility is important for clear communication in professional and casual settings.
1 principal / ˈ prɪnsəpəl/ adjective Britannica Dictionary definition of PRINCIPAL always used before a noun : most important : chief
Primary; most important. Smith is the principal architect of this design. The principal cause of the failure was poor planning.
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