praecipe

One entry found for praecipe.

Main Entry: prae·ci·pe
Variant(s): also pre·ci·pe /'pre-s&-"pE, 'prE-/
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English presepe, from Medieval Latin praecipe, from Latin, imperative of praecipere to instruct -- more at PRECEPT
1 : any of various legal writs commanding a person to do something or to appear and show cause why he or she should not
2 : a written order requesting a clerk or prothonotary of a court to issue a writ and specifying the contents of the writ