\Com*mand"ment\, n. [OF. commandement, F.
commandement.]
1. An order or injunction given by authority; a command; a
   charge; a precept; a mandate.

         A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one
         another.                              --John xiii.
                                               34.

2. (Script.) One of the ten laws or precepts given by God to
   the Israelites at Mount Sinai.

3. The act of commanding; exercise of authority.

         And therefore put I on the countenance Of stern
         commandment.                          --Shak.

4. (Law) The offense of commanding or inducing another to
   violate the law.

{The Commandments}, {The Ten Commandments}, the Decalogue, or
   summary of God's commands, given to Moses at Mount Sinai.
   (--Ex. xx.)