[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/precept.html)

[home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/) / [The school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/) / precept

[← P](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/P/)

# precept

«precept» in Mova's school dictionary: **A rule or principle telling people how to behave or think** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 5 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it.

### part of speech

noun (a precept, precepts)

### meaning for a pupil

1) (formal) A rule or principle telling people how to behave or think. [tree →](https://md.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://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/precept/#m2)

3) (law, UK) An official written order. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/precept/#m3)

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

- [The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/ketuvim/jps/PSA.273/)
- [To such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His precepts to do them.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/ketuvim/jps/PSA.1818/)
- [The works of His hands are truth and justice; all His precepts are sure.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/ketuvim/jps/PSA.2060/)
- [Thou hast ordained Thy precepts, that we should observe them diligently.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/ketuvim/jps/PSA.2166/)
- [I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/ketuvim/jps/PSA.2178/)

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «precept» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/precept/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.