[ˈpriːsɛpt], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a general rule intended to regulate behaviour or thought
(e.g: the legal precept of being innocent until proven guilty)

- a writ or warrant
(e.g: the Commissioner issued precepts requiring the companies to provide information)

- an order issued by one local authority to another specifying the rate of tax to be charged on its behalf
(e.g: the precept required a supplementary rate of 6.1p in the pound)


Phrases:

Origin:
late Middle English: from Latin praeceptum, neuter past participle of praecipere ‘warn, instruct’, from prae ‘before’ + capere ‘take’