n. 1. A rule or principle prescribing a particular course of action or conduct. 2. Law A direction or order issued by an authority; a writ, command, or process. [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 the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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