Definition of Precedent

1. Noun. An example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time.

Exact synonyms: Case In Point
Generic synonyms: Example, Illustration, Instance, Representative
Derivative terms: Precede

2. Adjective. Preceding in time, order, or significance.
Similar to: Preceding
Derivative terms: Precede, Precede, Precedence, Precedence, Precedency

3. Noun. (civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions.
Exact synonyms: Case Law, Common Law
Examples of category: Service
Generic synonyms: Civil Law
Category relationships: Civil Law

4. Noun. 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"
Exact synonyms: Case Law, Common Law
Generic synonyms: Jurisprudence, Law
Category relationships: Jurisprudence, Law

5. Noun. A subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time).
Generic synonyms: Subject, Theme, Topic
Derivative terms: Precede

Definition of Precedent

1. a. Going before; anterior; preceding; antecedent; as, precedent services.

2. n. Something done or said that may serve as an example to authorize a subsequent act of the same kind; an authoritative example.

Definition of Precedent

1. Noun. An act in the past which may be used as an example to help decide the outcome of similar instances in the future. ¹

2. Noun. (legal) A decided case which is cited or used as an example to justify a judgment in a subsequent case. ¹

3. Noun. (obsolete with definite article) The aforementioned (thing). ¹

4. Noun. The previous version. ¹

5. Adjective. Happening or taking place earlier in time; previous or preceding. ¹

6. Verb. (transitive legal) To provide precedents for. ¹

7. Verb. (transitive legal) To be a precedent for. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Precedent

1. [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Precedent

precautioning
precautions
precautious
precautiously
precautiousness
precava
precavae
precaval
precedaneous
precede
preceded
precedence
precedences
precedencies
precedency
precedent (current term)
precedented
precedentedly
precedential
precedentially
precedenting
precedently
precedents
precedes
precedest
precedeth
preceding
preceding(a)
preceed
preceese

Literary usage of Precedent

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the High Court of Chancery: During by William Brown, Edward Thurlow Thurlow, Alexander Wedderburn Rosslyn, Great Britain Court of Chancery, Robert Belt (1820)
"83., where Lord Nottingham says, " precedent conditions must be literally performed, and this Court will never vest an estate, where by reason of a ..."

2. Principles of the English Law of Contract and of Agency in Its Relation to by William Reynell Anson (1887)
"Conditions precedent. In the oases with which we have been dealing, ... We now come to Conditions precedent in the narrower and more frequent use of the ..."

3. Principles of the English Law of Contract and of Agency in Its Relation to by William Reynell Anson (1884)
"Conditions precedent. In the cases with which we have been dealing, ... We now come to Conditions precedent in the narrower and more frequent use of the ..."

4. Commentaries on the Laws of England by William Blackstone, William Carey Jones (1915)
"These conditions are therefore either precedent or subsequent,3 § 207. a. Conditions precedent.—precedent are such as must happen or be performed before the ..."

5. United States Supreme Court Reports by Lawyers Co-operative Publishing Company, United States Supreme Court (1888)
"Bank v. State Nat. Sank, 77 U. 8. 10 Wall 644 (19: 1018). Why, then, should we look for such a condition precedent in the vague expression "may be located. ..."

6. Bulletin of the University of Wisconsin by University of Wisconsin (1908)
"The importance of the precedent made in 1861-1863 is obvious. It is, from the de facto standpoint, the strongest precedent there is. ..."

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