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# precept

noun (a precept, precepts)

«precept» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (formal) A rule or principle telling people how to behave or think. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/precept/#m1)
2. (church, Bible) A command or teaching from God or a religious teacher. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/precept/#m2)
3. (law, UK) An official written order. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/precept/#m3)

### In the lessons

Found in ethics, religion and old books: «the precepts of Jesus», «moral precepts» like «be kind» and «tell the truth». In Buddhism there are «five precepts». Phrases: «moral precepts», «follow the precepts», «by example rather than precept».

### Examples

- "Treat others as you want to be treated" is a famous precept. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/precept/#x1)
- Christians believe the precepts of the Bible guide how to live. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/precept/#x2)
- Buddhists follow five precepts, such as not harming living things. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/precept/#x3)
- Our teacher taught us more by example than by precept. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/precept/#x4)
- Honesty is the first precept of our school rules. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/precept/#x5)
- The old book was full of wise precepts. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/precept/#x6)
- The monks lived by strict precepts. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/precept/#x7)
- Example is more powerful than precept. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/precept/#x8)

### Note

Formal word; in everyday talk say «rule» or «principle». Countable. Stress: PREE-sept. Do not confuse with «concept» (an idea) or «percept».

## In Jewish tradition

A precept is a rule or order from God. The Psalms, especially Psalm 119, use it for God's commands to be kept carefully.

**Interpretation.** Tradition reads these precepts as the mitzvot, the commandments of the Torah, which Jews study and keep.

### Examples

- This I have had, that I have kept Thy precepts. (Writings PSA.119.56, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/precept/#x1)
- Thou hast ordained Thy precepts, that we should observe them diligently. (Writings PSA.119.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/precept/#x2)
- I am Thine, save me; for I have sought Thy precepts. (Writings PSA.119.94, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/precept/#x3)

### Note

Formal word; in everyday talk say «rule» or «principle». Countable. Stress: PREE-sept. Do not confuse with «concept» (an idea) or «percept».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «precept» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/precept/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«precept» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/precept.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «precept» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/precept/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«precept» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/precept.html) on Mova free.