Part 468

Syn. -- Example; antecedent. -- Precedent, Example. An example in a similar case which may serve as a rule or guide, but has no authority out of itself. A precedent is something which comes down to us from the past with the sanction of usage and of common consent. We quote examples in literature, and precedents in law.

Prec"e*dent*ed, a. Having a precedent; authorized or sanctioned by an example of a like kind. Walpole.

Prec`e*den"tial (?), a. Of the nature of a precedent; having force as an example for imitation; as, precedential transactions.

All their actions in that time are not precedential to warrant posterity.

Fuller.

Pre*ced"ent*ly (?), adv. Beforehand; antecedently.

Pre*ced"ing, a. 1. Going before; -- opposed to following.

2. (Astron.) In the direction toward which stars appear to move. See Following, 2.

Pre*cel" (?), v. t. & i. [See Precellence.] To surpass; to excel; to exceed. [Obs.] Howell.

{ Pre*cel"lence (?), Pre*cel"len*cy (?), } n. [L. praecellentia, from praecellens, p. pr. of praecellere to excel, surpass: cf. OF. precellence.] Excellence; superiority. [Obs.] Sheldon.

Pre*cel"lent (?), a. [L. praecellens, p. pr.] Excellent; surpassing. [Obs.] Holland.

Pre*cen"tor (?), n. [L. praecentor, fr. praecinere to sing before; prae before + canere to sing. See Chant.] A leader of a choir; a directing singer. Specifically: (a) The leader of the choir in a cathedral; -- called also the chanter or master of the choir. Hook. (b) The leader of the congregational singing in Scottish and other churches.

Pre*cen"tor*ship, n. The office of a precentor.

Pre"cept (?), n. [L. praeceptum, from praecipere to take beforehand, to instruct, teach; prae before + capere to take: cf. F. prÈcepte. See Pre-, and Capacious.] 1. Any commandment, instruction, or order intended as an authoritative rule of action; esp., a command respecting moral conduct; an injunction; a rule.

For precept must be upon precept.

Isa. xxviii. 10.

No arts are without their precepts.

Dryden.

2. (Law) A command in writing; a species of writ or process. Burrill.

Syn. -- Commandment; injunction; mandate; law; rule; direction; principle; maxim. See Doctrine.

Pre"cept, v. t. To teach by precepts. [Obs.] Bacon.

Pre*cep"tial (?), a. Preceptive. [Obs.]

Shak.

Pre*cep"tion (?), n. [L. praeceptio.] A precept. [R.] Bp. Hall.

Pre*cep"tive (?), a. [L. praeceptivus.] Containing or giving precepts; of the nature of precepts; didactic; as, the preceptive parts of the Scriptures.

The lesson given us here is preceptive to us.

L'Estrange.

Pre*cep"tor (?), n. [L. praeceptor, fr. praecipere to teach: cf. F. prÈcepteur. See Precept.] 1. One who gives commands, or makes rules; specifically, the master or principal of a school; a teacher; an instructor.