A leader, chief, or head; one who takes the lead; one who acts independently, or who has controlling authority or influence; as, the principal of a faction, a school, a firm, etc.; -- distinguished from a subordinate, abettor, auxiliary, or assistant.
A thing of chief or prime importance; something fundamental or especially conspicuous.
The chief actor in a crime, or an abettor who is present at it, -- as distinguished from an accessory.
A chief obligor, promisor, or debtor, -- as distinguished from a surety.
One who employs another to act for him, -- as distinguished from an agent.
One of turrets or pinnacles of waxwork and tapers with which the posts and center of a funeral hearse were formerly crowned.
A principal or essential point or rule; a principle.
