praecipiebas

Praecipiebas is a Latin verb form corresponding to the imperfect active indicative of the verb praecipio, praecipere, praecepi, praeceptum. It belongs to the -io verbs (a mixed conjugation) and follows the same pattern as other imperfect forms of this class.

The root meaning of praecipio is traditionally “to take before,” from prae- “before” and capere “to take.” In modern Latin usage the sense extends to “to instruct,” “to order,” or “to prescribe.” The imperfect form praecipiebas therefore expresses a past, ongoing, or habitual action of instructing or ordering, rather than a single completed command.

Morphology and translation: praecipiebas is the second person singular, imperfect active indicative. Therefore it translates most directly as “you were instructing” or “you used to instruct.” Depending on context, it can also convey “you were giving orders.” The verb can govern clauses with ut or direct objects, as in phrases meaning to instruct someone to do something or to provide a precept.

Usage notes: In classical Latin, praecipere often occurs with matters of instruction, instruction given to others, or issuing commands. The imperfect form would appear in narrative to describe past guidance or commands that were ongoing at a time in the past. The related noun praecipuum or praeceptum yields terms like “precept” or “instruction,” reflecting the same root idea.

See also: praecipio, praecipere, praecepi, praeceptum; praeceptum (precept).