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precept

   Also found in: Legal, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
pre·cept  (prspt)
n.
1. A rule or principle prescribing a particular course of action or conduct.
2. Law An authorized direction or order; a writ.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin praeceptum, from neuter past participle of praecipere, to advise, teach : prae-, pre- + capere, to take; see kap- in Indo-European roots.]

precept [ˈpriːsɛpt]
n
1. a rule or principle for action
2. a guide or rule for morals; maxim
3. a direction, esp for a technical operation
4. (Law) Law
a.  a writ or warrant
b.  a written order to a sheriff to arrange an election, the empanelling of a jury, etc.
c.  (in England) an order to collect money under a rate
[from Latin praeceptum maxim, injunction, from praecipere to admonish, from prae before + capere to take]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.precept - rule of personal conduct
prescript, rule - prescribed guide for conduct or action
higher law - a principle that takes precedent over the laws of society
moral principle - the principle that conduct should be moral
hypothetical imperative - a principle stating the action required to attain a desired goal
ethical code, ethic - a system of principles governing morality and acceptable conduct
caveat emptor - a commercial principle that without a warranty the buyer takes upon himself the risk of quality
2.precept - a doctrine that is taught; "the teachings of religion"; "he believed all the Christian precepts"
doctrine, ism, philosophical system, philosophy, school of thought - a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school
Golden Rule - a command based on Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount; "Whatsoever ye would that men do unto you, do you even so unto them" (Matthew 7:12)
mitsvah, mitzvah - (Judaism) a precept or commandment of the Jewish law

precept
noun
2. maxim, saying, rule, principle, guideline, motto, dictum, axiom, byword the precept, `If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well'
Translations
precept [ˈpriːsept] Nprecepto m
precept [ˈpriːsɛpt] nprécepte m
precept
nGrundsatz m, → Prinzip nt
precept [ˈpriːsɛpt] nprecetto
precept [ˈpriːsɛpt] nprecetto


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
I forget who it was that recommended men for their soul's good to do each day two things they disliked: it was a wise man, and it is a precept that I have followed scrupulously; for every day I have got up and I have gone to bed.
He did not hesitate to omit the proofs of these, and so far to make himself not only a precept, but an example in criticism.
Heavily weighs on me at times the burdensome reflection that I cannot honestly say I am confident as to the exact shape of the once-seen, oft-regretted Cube; and in my nightly visions the mysterious precept, "Upward, not Northward", haunts me like a soul-devouring Sphinx.
 
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