Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Precept
Pre′cept
,Noun.
1.
Any commandment, instruction, or order intended as an authoritative rule of action; esp., a command respecting moral conduct; an injunction; a rule.
For
precept
must be upon precept
. Isa. xxviii. 10.
No arts are without their
precepts
. Dryden.
2.
(Law)
A command in writing; a species of writ or process.
Burrill.
Syn. – Commandment; injunction; mandate; law; rule; direction; principle; maxim. See
Doctrine
. Pre′cept
,Verb.
T.
To teach by precepts.
[Obs.]
Bacon.
Webster 1828 Edition
Precept
PRE'CEPT
,Noun.
1.
In a general sense, any commandment or order intended as an authoritative rule of action; but applied particularly to commands respecting moral conduct. The ten commandments are so many precepts for the regulation of our moral conduct. No arts are without their precepts.
2.
In law, a command or mandate in writing.