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Webster 1913 Edition

Adj.

[L.

praeceptivus

Containing or giving precepts; of the nature of precepts; didactic;

as, the

preceptive

parts of the Scriptures

The lesson given us here is

preceptive

to us.

L’Estrange.

Adj.

[L. proeceptivus.] Giving precepts or commands for the regulation of moral conduct; containing precepts; as the preceptive parts of the Scriptures.

Directing in moral conduct; giving rules or directions; didactic.

The lesson given us here is preceptive to us.

Preceptive poetry.

preceptive ‎(comparative more preceptive, superlative most preceptive)

(law) Of, pertaining to, or based on precepts
- 1677: John Owen, The Doctrine of Justification by Faith
  - If it was necessary, that Christ as our surety should suffer the penalty of the law in our stead, because we have sinned; then it was also necessary that as our Surety, he should yield obedience to the preceptive part of the law also;
instructive; didactic
- 1810: John Quincy Adams, Lectures on Rhetoric and Oratory
  - It is altogether preceptive, barely containing the rules, without illustration from example. It is a system of rhetoric in the abstract.