[prae.ci.pe] n [ME presepe, fr. ML praecipe, fr. L, imper. of praecipere to instruct--more at precept] (15c) 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