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 →

2) (church, Bible) A command or teaching from God or a religious teacher. tree →

3) (law, UK) An official written order. tree →

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 →
• Christians believe the precepts of the Bible guide how to live. tree →
• Buddhists follow five precepts, such as not harming living things. tree →
• Our teacher taught us more by example than by precept. tree →
• Honesty is the first precept of our school rules. tree →
• The old book was full of wise precepts. tree →
• The monks lived by strict precepts. tree →
• Example is more powerful than precept. tree →

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.
• To such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His precepts to do them.
• The works of His hands are truth and justice; all His precepts are sure.
• Thou hast ordained Thy precepts, that we should observe them diligently.
• I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways.

Trees and pragmatics

Every meaning and example of «precept» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.