Pre"cept (?), n. [L. praeceptum, from praecipere to take beforehand, to instruct, teach; prae before + capere to take: cf. F. précepte. See Pre-, and Capacious.] 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.

No arts are without their precepts.

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, v. t. To teach by precepts. [Obs.] Bacon.

• a rule or principle, especially one governing personal conduct