a commandment or direction given as a rule of action or conduct.

an injunction as to moral conduct; maxim.

a procedural directive or rule, as for the performance of some technical operation.

Law .

a writ or warrant.

a written order issued pursuant to law, as a sheriff's order for an election.

noun

axiom , behest , bidding , byword , canon , command , commandment , decree , decretum , direction , doctrine , dogma , edict , formula , fundamental , guideline , injunction , instruction , law , mandate , maxim , motto , order , ordinance , prescript , principle , regulation , rule , saying , statute , tenet , institute , prescription , adage , brief , code , document , writ