precept
/ˈpɹiːsɛpt/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.58 in modern English
13
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A rule or principle, especially one governing personal conduct.
noun
A written command, especially a demand for payment.
noun
An order issued by one local authority to another specifying the rate of tax to be charged on its behalf.
British usage
Example Sentences
- "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."
- "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."
- "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."
- "The Parish Council is financed by raising a small levy - the precept - on all residential properties within the parish."
- "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."
Etymology
Origin
- Source language: Latin
Word Breakdown
- Root: *keh₂p-, praeceptum, prae
Usage
- British usage
- American usage
- Intransitive verb
- Obsolete
- Transitive verb