the ten commandments

Commandment \Com*mand"ment\, n. [OF. commandement, F.
   commandement.]
   1. An order or injunction given by authority; a command; a
      charge; a precept; a mandate.
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            A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one
            another.                              --John xiii.
                                                  34.
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   2. (Script.) One of the ten laws or precepts given by God to
      the Israelites at Mount Sinai.
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   3. The act of commanding; exercise of authority.
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            And therefore put I on the countenance
            Of stern commandment.                 --Shak.
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   4. (Law) The offense of commanding or inducing another to
      violate the law.
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   {The Commandments}, {The Ten Commandments}, the Decalogue, or
      summary of God's commands, given to Moses at Mount Sinai.
      (--Ex. xx.)
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