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precedent

pre·ce·dent

UK/pɹɪˈsiː.dənt/ US/ˈpɹɛs.ɪ.dənt/ fairly common
noun (4) adjective (1)

noun

1.

an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time

Synonyms
2.
3.

a system of jurisprudence based on judicial precedents rather than statutory laws

  • “common law originated in the unwritten laws of England and was later applied in the United States”
Synonyms
4.

a subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time)

adjective

1.

Origin

From Middle French, from Old French, from Latin praecēdēns, present participle of praecēdere (“to precede”); See precede.

Phrases

  • binding precedent terms derived from precedent (noun)
  • condition precedent terms derived from precedent (noun)
  • declaratory precedent terms derived from precedent (noun)
  • original precedent terms derived from precedent (noun)
  • persuasive precedent terms derived from precedent (noun)
  • precedent sub silentio terms derived from precedent (noun)
  • stare decisis

Related words

Word family

Broader terms

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.