English → Latin
“precept” in Latin
praeceptumteaching, lesson; precept; order, commandpraescrībōto write in front; to prefix; to order, appoint, direct, command or prescribepraescrīptiōpreface, introduction, commencement; pretext, excuse, pretence; precept, order, rule, lawlēxthe legal machinery of a state, the law; a law, statute, bill; the laws regarded as a body, the constitutionpraecipiōto take or seize beforehand, in advance; to anticipate; to enjoin, direct, order, commandtrādōto hand over, give up, deliver, transmit, surrender; impart; entrust, confide; to leave behind, bequeath; to give up or
The English word precept itself goes back to Latin prae, through praeceptum.
Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864
precept
praeceptum: praescriptum: praescriptio: lex. To give precepts, praecipere, praecepta dare, tradere, de aliqua re: to observe a precept, praescriptum servare; praeceptum tenere (Cic.); praeceptum observare (Caes.).
Quick answer
- What is the Latin word for precept?
- The usual Latin words for “precept” are praeceptum, praescrībō, praescrīptiō; also lēx, praecipiō, trādō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.
Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.