commandments

Noun

commandment (countable and uncountable, plural commandments)

1. A divinely ordained command, especially one of the Ten Commandments.
   • A new commandement I giue vnto you, That yee loue one another, as I haue loued you, that yee alſo loue one another.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, John 13:34
2. (archaic, humorous) Something that must be obeyed; a command or edict.
   • Pau. Pray you then, / Conduct me to the Queene. / Gao. I may not (Madam) / To the contrary I haue expreſſe commandment.c. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Winters Tale”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount...
3. The offence of commanding or inducing another to violate the law.
4. (obsolete) The act of commanding; exercise of authority.
   • To rule, is vnderſtoode to haue the higheſt and ſupreme authoritie of commaundement.1562–1565 (date written), Thomas Smyth [i.e., Thomas Smith], “Of the Diuersities of Common Wealthes or Gouernement”, in De Republica Anglorum. The Maner of Gouernement or Policie of the Realme of...

See all 5 meanings of commandment