prī̆ncipium
From prī̆nceps (“first, foremost”) + -ium (“suffix forming abstract nouns”).
Pronunciation
- (Classical) IPA(key): /priːnˈki.pi.um/, [priːŋˈkɪpiʊ̃ˑ] or IPA(key): /prinˈki.pi.um/, [prɪŋˈkɪpiʊ̃ˑ]
- (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA(key): /prinˈt͡ʃi.pi.um/, [prin̠ʲˈt͡ʃiːpium]
- 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, antonym ▲][ quotations ▼]
- 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).
| Case | 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).