资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Precent \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}.