mid-14c., "mostly, mainly; most importantly," from principal (adj.) + -ly (2). Late 14c. as "first of all." Meaning "for the most part" attested by 1832.
中文解释
1、prin- + cip- + -al + -ly.2、字面含义：that takes first. => first in importance, principal, chief, "main, most important," of persons.
实用例句
1. The book is aimed principally at beginners.
这本书主要是为初学者编写的。
来自《权威词典》
2. He had married her principally for the sake of her father's property.
他所以要娶她,主要是为了她父亲的财产.
来自《简明英汉词典》
3. The sell-off is aimed at repositioning the company as a publisher principally of business information.
出售公司部分业务的目的是将公司重新定位为以商业信息类出版物为主的出版商。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Embryonic development seems to be controlled principally by a very small number of master genes.
胚胎发育似乎主要受制于少数主导基因。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Our club was composed principally of students, with an admixture of young clerks.