\Pre"cent\, n. [L. praeceptum, from praecipere to take
beforehand, to instruct, teach; prae before + capere to take:
cf. F. pr['e]cepte. 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.     --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}.