[pree-sept] 
| 1. | a commandment or direction given as a rule of action or conduct. |
| 2. | an injunction as to moral conduct; maxim. |
| 3. | a procedural directive or rule, as for the performance of some technical operation. |
| 4. | Law.
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| pre·cept (prē'sěpt') n.
[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.] |