preceptor

[ pri-sep-ter, pree-sep- ]

noun

1. an instructor; teacher; tutor.
2. the head of a school.
3. the head of a preceptory.

preceptor

/ prɪˈsɛptə; ˌpriːsɛpˈtɔːrɪəl /

noun

1. a practising physician giving practical training to a medical student
2. the head of a preceptory
3. rare.
   a tutor or instructor

Derived Forms

• preceptorial, adjective
• preˈceptress, noun:feminine
• preˈceptorate, noun
• preˈceptorˌship, noun

Other Words From

• pre·cep·tor·ate [pri-, sep, -ter-it], noun
• pre·cep·to·ri·al [pree-sep-, tawr, -ee-, uh, l, -, tohr, -], pre·cepto·ral adjective
• precep·tori·al·ly adverb
• pre·ceptor·ship noun
• subpre·ceptor noun
• subpre·cepto·ral adjective
• subpre·ceptor·ate noun
• subpre·cep·tori·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of preceptor¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Latin word praeceptor. See precept, -tor

Example Sentences

I am bold to say I was his preceptor in politics and taught him everything that was good and solid in his whole political conduct.”

From Literature

“We are witnessing right now, really, the birth of a modern nation,” said Volodymyr Dibrova, a Ukrainian writer and a preceptor who teaches Ukrainian at Harvard University, who said the language was entering an “Elizabethan period” of rejuvenation and improvisation: the more widely it’s embraced, the more lived-in and rich the language becomes.

From Los Angeles Times

Down went the black legs and up came the gray head, as the preceptor said, with undisturbed dignity, “Good evening, Mr. Bhaer. Excuse me for a moment. We are just finishing our lesson. Now, Demi, make the letter and tell its name.”

From Literature

Contrasting with the homages to men that got away, “argyle sweater, erections and all,” are the chapters devoted to Difficult Women like the bombshell actress Raquel Welch, who had the temerity to resist a forceful lovemaking scene; the politically active and litigious Vanessa Redgrave; and the intellectual Jhabvala, whom Ivory saw as a civilizing “preceptor” but never forgave for dissing Merchant-Ivory’s adaptation of Forster’s homosexually themed novel “Maurice.”

From New York Times

Clark also told the instructor that "you are not going to treat me that way" and "you are the worst preceptor I have ever had."

From Fox News