Etymology Borrowed from Late Latin praeceptum, form of praecipiō (“to teach”), from Latin prae (“pre-”) + capiō (“take”).
1
A rule or principle, especially one governing personal conduct.
Precept guides, but example draws.
By Heav’ns, ſuch Virtues, join’d with ſuch Succeſs, Diſtract my very Soul: Our Father’s Fortune Wou’d almoſt tempt us to renounce his Precepts.1712 (date written), [Joseph] Addison, Cato, a Tragedy. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson, […], published 1713, →OCLC, Act I, scene i, page 2:
2 more examples
He found a people in the extreme of barbarism living in caves, feeding upon the bloody flesh of animals they killed in hunting; he taught them many things, so that by his example, and for generations after he left them by his precepts, they advanced to high civilization.1891, Susan Hale, Mexico (The Story of the Nations), volume 27, London: T. Fisher Unwin, page 80:
I need hardly point out that Pinker doesn't really believe anything of what he writes, at least if example is stronger evidence of belief than precept.2006, Theodore Dalrymple, The Gift of Language:
2
Law A written command, especially a demand for payment.
3
UK An order issued by one local authority to another specifying the rate of tax to be charged on its behalf.
4
UK A tax rate set by such an order; the tax thus collected.
The Parish Council is financed by raising a small levy - the precept - on all residential properties within the parish.2019, “Medstead Parish Council”, in Medstead Parish Council website, archived from the original on 07 Jul 2019:
New parish [councils] and town councils are formed every year. But the National Association of Local Councils, which represents them, says an unusual number are in the works now. […] Higher-level councils, swamped by chunky issues such as homelessness and children in care, are often happy to hand responsibilities down. Higher-level local authorities must normally hold a referendum if they want to raise taxes by more than 5% a year—something they almost never dare to do. Town and parish councils, which are funded largely through “precepts” on tax bills, face no such restrictions. As their numbers and responsibilities swell, the amount of money flowing to them is growing. Precepts raised £856m ($1.2bn) in 2024-25, a rise of 60% in real terms since 2010-11. […] the government has only itself to blame for the swelling numbers and powers of low-level councils. Its reforms are creating local authorities that are far too large to be truly local. Town councils are its baby.2026 February 1, “Why lots of English towns are creating puny local governments: Mad for parish councils”, in The Economist:
[T]he tvvo commended rules by him [Aristotle] ſet down, vvhereby the axioms of Sciences are precepted to be made convertible, and vvhich the latter men have not vvithout elegancy ſurnamed; the one the rule of truth, becauſe it preventeth deceipt; the other the rule of prudence, becauſe it freeth election, are the ſame thing in ſpeculation and affirmation, vvhich vve novv obſerve.1603 (date written), [Francis] Bacon, “Valerius Terminus: Of the Interpretation of Nature; with the Annotations of Hermes Stella. Chapter XI. The Chapter Immediately Following the Inventary; Being the 11th in Order, a Part thereof.”, in Robert Stephens, compiler, edited by [John Lockyer], Letters and Remains of the Lord Chancellor Bacon, London: […] W[illiam] Bowyer, published 1734, →OCLC, page 411: