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precedent

Canada, US, UK/ˈpɹɛs.ɪ.dənt/Australia, Ireland/ˈpɹiː.sɪ.dənt/Australia, Ireland/ˈpɹɛs-/New Zealand/ˈpɹes.ɪ.dənt/

noun

What it means

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

    Examples for cases can but direct as precedents only.

    [1594], Richard Hooker, edited by J[ohn] S[penser], Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie, […], London: […] Iohn Windet, […], →OCLC, (please specify the page)
  2. lawA decided case which is cited or used as an example to justify a judgment in a subsequent case.
  3. An established habit or custom.

In a sentence

Examples for cases can but direct as precedents only.

[1594], Richard Hooker, edited by J[ohn] S[penser], Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie, […], London: […] Iohn Windet, […], →OCLC, (please specify the page)

Where it comes from

  1. Latinpraecēdēns
  2. Englishprecedent

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

First known use: 14th c.

Full entry for precedent →

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