Webster's English Dictionary

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principal

1. prin.ci.pal \'prin(t)-s(*-)p*l, -s*-b*l\ \-e-, 'prin(t)-sple-\ aj [ME, 
   fr. OF, fr. L principalis, fr. princip-, princeps] 1: most important, 
   consequential, or influential : CHIEF  2: of, relating to, or constituting 
   principal or a principal  - prin.ci.pal.ly av
2. principal \'prin(t)-s(*-)p*l-.ship, -s*-b*l-\ n 1: a person who has 
   controlling authority or is in a leading position : as  1a: a chief or head 
   man or woman  1b: the chief executive officer of an educational institution 
   (as a high sc hool) 1c: one who employs another to act for him subject to 
   his general control a nd instruction; specif : the person from whom an 
   agent's authority derives 1d: the chief or an actual participant in a crime 
    1e: the person primarily or ultimately liable on a legal obligation  1f: a 
   leading performer : STAR  2: a matter or thing of primary importance : as  
   2a1: a capital sum placed at interest, due as a debt, or used as a fund  
   2a2: the corpus of an estate, portion, devise, or bequest  2b: the 
   construction that gives shape and strength to a roof and is usu. on e of 
   several trusses - prin.ci.pal.ship n