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Commandment vs Guideline - What's the difference?

commandment | guideline |

As nouns the difference between commandment and guideline

is that commandment is one of the ten commandments while guideline is a non-specific rule or principle that provides direction to action or behaviour.

commandment

English

Alternative forms

* commaundment (obsolete)

Noun

(en noun)
  • Something that must be obeyed; a command or edict.
  • * Bible, John xiii. 34
    • A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another.
  • The act of commanding; exercise of authority.
  • * Shakespeare
    • And therefore put I on the countenance / Of stern commandment .
  • (legal) The offence of commanding or inducing another to violate the law.

    • guideline

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A non-specific rule or principle that provides direction to action or behaviour.
    • He considered the Ten Commandments more a guideline than a requirement.
  • A plan or explanation to guide one in setting standards or determining a course of action.
  • A light line, used in lettering, to help align the text.

    • Synonyms

    * (non-specific rule) rule of thumb * (plan or explanation) rule of thumb