preceptory

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/pɹɪˈsɛptəɹi/

noun

A community of the Knights Templar, or the physical buildings or estate of such a community.

OriginMedieval Latin praeceptoria →
Scrabble 19
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Meanings

nounpreceptory (plural preceptories)

plural preceptories

  1. A community of the Knights Templar, or the physical buildings or estate of such a community.

    “The most petty baron may arrest, try, and condemn a witch found within his own domain. And shall that power be denied to the Grand Master of the Temple within a preceptory of his Order?”

    1819, Walter Scott, Ivanhoe
adjectivepreceptory (not comparable)
  1. not comparablepreceptive

    a law preceptory

    c. 1573, Anderson, [unknown work]

Origin

  1. Medieval Latinpraeceptoria
  2. Englishpreceptory

From Medieval Latin praeceptoria, noun use of the feminine of praeceptorius (“commanding”), ultimately from praeceptor + -ius. Equivalent to preceptor + -y.

More words from Medieval Latin

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

preceptory. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/preceptory

MLA

“preceptory.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/preceptory. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “preceptory,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/preceptory.

Source: preceptory on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.