1. (n.) An order or injunction given by authority; a command; a charge; a precept; a mandate.

2. (n.) One of the ten laws or precepts given by God to the Israelites at Mount Sinai.

3. (n.) The act of commanding; exercise of authority.

4. (n.) The offense of commanding or inducing another to violate the law.

behest bidding canon code command convention dictate dictation dictum direct order form formula general principle golden rule guideline guiding principle hest imperative law maxim mitzvah moral norm order ordinance pleasure principium principle regulation rubric rule say-so settled principle special order standard tenet will word word of command working principle working rule