principio

/pɾinˈθipjo/ · A2 · noun · m

beginning, start, outset, get-go

🏁 principio = Latin principium: prin- (first) + -cip- (take) = what takes first place

Same root as English principle and prince (the first one). What comes first is both the start (al principio = at the beginning) and the founding rule (un principio = a principle). One word, two senses, both meaning first.

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