Definitions for precept
ˈpri sɛptpre·cept

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:4.3 / 4 votes

1. principle, preceptnoun

   rule of personal conduct

2. teaching, precept, commandmentnoun

   a doctrine that is taught

   "the teachings of religion"; "he believed all the Christian precepts"

WiktionaryRate this definition:3.5 / 2 votes

1. preceptnoun

   A rule or principle, especially one governing personal conduct.

2. preceptnoun

   A written command, especially a demand for payment.

3. Etymology: From praeceptum, form of praecipere, from prae + capere.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. PRECEPTnoun

   A rule authoritatively given; a mandate; a commandment; a direction.

   Etymology: precepte, Fr. præceptum, Lat.

   The custom of lessons furnishes the very simplest and rudest sort with infallible axioms and precepts of sacred truth, delivered even in the very letter of the law of God. Richard Hooker.

   ’Tis sufficient, that painting be acknowledged for an art; for it follows, that no arts are without their precepts. Dryden.

   A precept or commandment consists in, and has respect to, some moral point of doctrine, viz. such as concerns our manners, and our inward and outward good behaviour. John Ayliffe.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Precept

   A precept (from the Latin: præcipere, to teach) is a commandment, instruction, or order intended as an authoritative rule of action.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. precept

   A precept is a general rule or commandment that is intended to regulate behavior or thought. It's a guiding principle or instruction, often associated with moral or ethical standards.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:2.5 / 2 votes

1. Preceptverb

   to teach by precepts

WikidataRate this definition:2.0 / 1 vote

1. Precept

   A precept is a commandment, instruction, or order intended as an authoritative rule of action.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:1.5 / 2 votes

1. Precept

   prē′sept, n. rule of action: a commandment: principle, or maxim: (law) the written warrant of a magistrate: a mandate.—adj. Precep′tial (Shak.), consisting of precepts.—n. Precep′tion (obs.), a precept.—adj. Precep′tive, containing or giving precepts: directing in moral conduct: didactic.—n. Precep′tor, one who delivers precepts: a teacher: an instructor: the head of a school: the head of a preceptory of Knights Templars:—fem. Precep′tress.—adjs. Preceptō′rial; Precep′tory, giving precepts.—n. a religious house or college of the Knights Templars. [Fr.,—L. præceptum—præcipĕre, to take beforehand—præ, before, capĕre, to take.]

Editors ContributionRate this definition:2.0 / 1 vote

1. precept

   A rule or principle governing personal conduct.

   A precept can be a decree which directly and legitimately gives a specific person or persons to do something, especially in order to encourage the observance of law.

   
   

   Submitted by MaryC on March 12, 2020  

Matched Categories

1. • Doctrine
   • Rule

Anagrams for precept »

1. percept

How to pronounce precept?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say precept in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of precept in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of precept in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of precept in a Sentence

1. George Eliot:

   It is, I fear, but a vain show of fulfilling the heathen precept, Know thyself, and too often leads to a self-estimate which will subsist in the absence of that fruit by which alone the quality of the tree is made evident.

2. Aesop:

   Example is the best precept.

3. Seneca:

   Wisdom does not show itself so much in precept as in life - in firmness of mind and a mastery of appetite. It teaches us to do as well as to talk; and to make our words and actions all of a color.

4. Charles Dickens:

   Here's the rule for bargains: Do other men, for they would do you. That's the true business precept.

5. Samuel Smiles:

   It is a mistake to suppose that men succeed through success; they much oftener succeed through failures. Precept, study, advice, and example could never have taught them so well as failure has done.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=precept
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Precept
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=precept
4. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precept
5. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
6. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precept
7. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=precept
8. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=precept