precent Meaning, Definition & Usage

Pre"cent noun

Etymology

L. praeceptum, from praecipere to take beforehand, to instruct, teach; prae before + capere to take: cf. F. précepte. See Pre-, and Capacious.

Definitions

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.