precept
Cross references: 1. law pre.cept \'pre--.sept\ n [ME, fr. L praeceptum, fr. neut. of praeceptus, pp. of praeciper]e to take beforehand, instruct, fr. prae- + capere to take - more at HEAVE 1: a command or principle intended as a general rule of action 2: an order issued by legally constituted authority to a subordinate offici al