Lewis & Short

praeceptĭo, ōnis, f. [praecipio].

  1. I. A taking beforehand, a receiving in advance (jurid. Lat.): per praeceptionem legamus, Ulp. Reg. 24, 2: dotis, Dig. 23, 4, 26: per praeceptionem legare, Gai. Inst. 2, 192; 216; Paul. Sent. 3, 6, 1.
    1. B. The right of receiving in advance: praeceptionem quadringentorum milium dedit, Plin. Ep. 5, 7, 1: bonorum, Dig. 33, 7, 2.
  2. II. A previous notion, preconception: ad eam praeceptionem accedere, quam inchoatam habebunt in animis, Cic. Part. 36, 123.
  3. III. A precept, injunction (class.): lex est recti praeceptio, pravique depulsio, Cic. N. D. 2, 31, 79: Stoicorum, id. Off. 1, 2, 6: in juris scientiā est persecutionum cautionumque praeceptio, id. Or. 41, 141.
      1. 2. Esp., an imperial rescript or order, Cod. Just. 1, 11, 2; 11, 59, 3.