Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

            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.)

Source : WordNet®

commandment
     n 1: something that is commanded
     2: a doctrine that is taught; "the teachings of religion"; "he
        believed all the Christian precepts" [syn: {teaching}, {precept}]