A rule, instruction, or principle that guides someone's actions, especially one that guides moral behavior or conduct.

"Some people act in accordance with the precept that the end justifies the means."

Etymology: from pre- and capere. Although cep, cip, ceiv, ceipt, and ceit are possible variant forms of capere, the most common form to note is cap-.

See this precept link for more details.

A rule, an instruction, or a principle that guides a person's action or behavior. (1)