English Explanatory Dictionary

precedent

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An act in the past which may be used as an example to help decide the outcome of similar instances in the future.
  2. A decided case which is cited or used as an example to justify a judgment in a subsequent case.
  3. An established habit or custom.
  4. The aforementioned (thing).
  5. The previous version.
  6. A rough draught of a writing which precedes a finished copy.
adj
  1. Happening or taking place earlier in time; previous or preceding.
  2. Coming before in a particular order or arrangement; preceding, foregoing.
verb
  1. To provide precedents for.
  2. To be a precedent for.

Pronunciation

prĕsʹĭ-dənt /ˈpɹɛs.ɪ.dənt/ /ˈpɹiː.sɪ.dənt/ /ˈpɹɛs-/ /ˈpɹes.ɪ.dənt/ /ˈpɹiː-/ en-us-precedent.ogg /pɹɪˈsiː.dənt/

Word forms

precedent precedents præcedent precedenting precedented

Etymology

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

Synonyms

antecedent predecessive

Related words

stare decisis

Derived words

binding precedent condition precedent declaratory precedent original precedent persuasive precedent precedency precedented precedential precedentless precedently precedent-setting precedent sub silentio unprecedent unprecedental unprecedented unprecedently
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