prinzipium
prī̆ncipium
From prī̆nceps (“first, foremost”) + -ium (“suffix forming abstract nouns”).
Pronunciation
- (Classical Latin) IPA(key): [priːŋˈkɪ.pi.ũː], [prɪŋˈkɪ.pi.ũː]
- (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA(key): [prin̠ʲˈt͡ʃiː.pi.um]
- See the note at prī̆nceps for the length of the vowel in the first syllable.
Noun
prī̆ncipium n (genitive prī̆ncipiī or prī̆ncipī); second declension
- a beginning, an origin, a commencement
- Synonyms: initium, exordium, prīmōrdium, orīgō, rudīmentum, limen
- Antonym: fīnis
- a groundwork, a foundation, a principle
- (in the plural) the elements, the first principles
- (military, in the plural) the front ranks, camp headquarters
Declension
Second-declension noun (neuter).
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | prī̆ncipium | prī̆ncipia |
| genitive | prī̆ncipiī
prī̆ncipī1 |
prī̆ncipiōrum |
| dative | prī̆ncipiō | prī̆ncipiīs |
| accusative | prī̆ncipium | prī̆ncipia |
| ablative | prī̆ncipiō | prī̆ncipiīs |
| vocative | prī̆ncipium | prī̆ncipia |
1Found in older Latin (until the Augustan Age).