praecipe

noun

prae·ci·pe | \ ˈpre-sə-ˌpē

variants: or less commonly precipe

Definition of praecipe

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about praecipe

Dictionary Entries near praecipe

prad

Prader-Willi syndrome

Statistics for praecipe

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for praecipe

The first known use of praecipe was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for praecipe

praecipe

noun

prae·ci·pe

variants: also precipe \ ˈpre-sə-ˌpē, ˈprē- \

Legal Definition of praecipe

: a written request for an action (as the issuing of a writ of execution) from a party to a clerk of a court or sometimes to a judge filed a praecipe for the writ of scire facias shall issue upon praecipe of the plaintiff

Note: When addressed to a clerk, a praecipe is usually a request for some action that does not require immediate judicial review, such as the issuing of a subpoena or the preparing of a record for appellate review. When addressed to a judge, as for jury instructions in some jurisdictions, a praecipe is similar to a motion.