precept

Etymology

Borrowed from Late Latin praeceptum, form of praecipiō (“to teach”), from Latin prae (“pre-”) + capiō (“take”).

noun

1. A rule or principle, especially one governing personal conduct.
   Precept guides, but example draws.
   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
   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
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.
   1. A rate or tax set by a precept.
      The Parish Council is financed by raising a small levy - the precept - on all residential properties within the parish. http://www.medsteadpc.org/community/medstead-parish-council-12575/home

verb

1. (intransitive, chiefly US, medicine) To act as a preceptor; to teach a physician-in-training by supervising their clinical practice.
2. (transitive, obsolete) To teach (something) by precepts.