# precept

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈpɹiːsɛpt/ · frequency rank #48,422

## Definitions
1. A rule or principle, especially one governing personal conduct.
2. A written command, especially a demand for payment.
3. An order issued by one local authority to another specifying the rate of tax to be charged on its behalf.
4. A tax rate set by such an order; the tax thus collected.

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

## Easily confused with
- **preset** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/precept-vs-preset)
- **present** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/precept-vs-present)
- **prevent** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/precept-vs-prevent)
- **pretext** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/precept-vs-pretext)
- **prefect** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/precept-vs-prefect)
- **preheat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/precept-vs-preheat)
- **precede** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/precede-vs-precept)

## Common misspellings (11)
`percept`, `pprecept`, `prceept`, `preccept`, `preceppt`, `preceptt`, `precetp`, `precpet`, `preecpt`, `prrecept`, `rpecept`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/precept