praecipe

[ pree-suh-pee, pres-uh- ]

noun

, Law.

1. any of various legal writs commanding a defendant to do something or to appear and show why it should not be done.
2. a written order addressed to the clerk of the court requesting that a writ be issued and specifying its contents.

Word History and Origins

Origin of praecipe¹

1400–50; late Middle English presepe < Latin praecipe, 2nd-person singular imperative of praecipere to take in advance; precept

Example Sentences

One part of the revolution effected by the development of royal jurisdiction is very noticeable in our documents: the struggle between king and magnates as to the right of judging freeholders has left many traces, of which the history of the 'breve quod vocatur praecipe' is perhaps the most remarkable.

From Project Gutenberg

The avenue by which a person who felt he had not had justice in the manor court on his claim for certain freehold land appealed to the king was by writ of right after the manor court's decision or by a writ praecipe during the manor court's proceeding.

From Project Gutenberg

The avenue by which a person who felt he had not had justice in the manor court on his claim for certain freehold land appealed to the king was by writ of right after the manor court's decision or by a writ praecipe during the manor court's proceeding.

From Project Gutenberg

I remembered Horace's 'Praecipe lugubres cantus, Melpomene,' and Cowley's 'I called the buskin'd muse Melpomene and told her what sad story I would write,' and suggested Melpomene, or Penthos: Melpomene was adopted.—The first move about the Deal Time Ball was in a letter from Commander Baldock to the Admiralty, suggesting that a Time Ball, dropped by galvanic current from Greenwich, should be attached to one of the South Foreland Lighthouses.

From Project Gutenberg

The writ which is called praecipe shall not for the future be issued to any one, regarding any tenement whereby a freeman may lose his court.

From Project Gutenberg