PRECEPT

In English and. American law. An order or direction, emanating from authority, to an officer or body of officers, commanding him or them to do some act within the scope ot their powers. · Precept is not to be con.fined to civil proceedings, and is not of a more restricted meanln1 than ":proce ." It includes warrants and proce es Ill criminal as well as civil proceedings. Adams T. Vose, 1 Gra7 (Ma .) 51, 58. "Precept" means a commandment 1n writing. aent ·out· b7 a Justice of the peac:e• o, [s. 934]