[prin.ci.pal] adj [ME, fr. OF, fr. L principalis, fr. princip-, princeps] (14c) 1: most important, consequential, or influential: chief
2: of, relating to, or constituting principal or a principal usage see principle -- prin.ci.pal.ly adv
[2]principal n (14c) 1: a person who has controlling authority or is in a leading position: as a: a chief or head man or woman b: the chief executive officer of an educational institution c: one who employs another to act as agent subject to the employer's general control and instruction; specif: the person from whom an agent's authority derives d: the chief or an actual participant in a crime e: the person primarily or ultimately liable on a legal obligation f: a leading performer: star
2: a matter or thing of primary importance: as a (1): a capital sum placed at interest, due as a debt, or used as a fund (2): the corpus of an estate, portion, devise, or bequest b: the construction that gives shape and strength to a roof and is usu. one of several trusses; broadly: the most important member of a piece of framing usage see principle -- prin.ci.pal.ship n