PRINCIPAL

(Lat. princeps, chief.) In Architecture, a main timber in an a emblage of carpentry. Thus, in a roof, the strong rafters used for tru ing the beams are called principal rafters. Principal. The name of which the heads of the Scottish universities are distinguished. Principal. In the Fine Arts, the chief circumstance in a work of art, to which the rest are to be subordinate. PRIX CTPE3. The name given to one of the four grand divisions of the Roman infantry. It was their duty to a ume the initiative in an engagement, for which they were admirably qualified, being the choice men of the Roman army, and from this circumstance their name is said to be derived. The other three bodies were the velites, hastati, andvxix.)triarii, which see. (See Mem. de IAcad. des Inscr. vol. [s. 996]