precedent
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
From Middle English precedent < Old French precedent < Latin praecēdēns (present priniciple of praecēdere, to precede); compare to precede
[edit] Pronunciation
- enPR: /prĕs'ĭ-dənt/, /prĕs'ĭ-dənt/ for adjective sense
- Audio (US)help, file
[edit] Noun
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Singular |
Plural |
precedent (plural precedents)
- An act in the past which may be used as an example to help decide the outcome of similar instances in the future.
- (law) A decided case which is cited or used as an example to justify a judgment in a subsequent case.
- (obsolete, with definite article) The aforementioned (thing).
- 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, New York 2001, p. 74:
- A third argument may be derived from the precedent.
- 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, New York 2001, p. 74:
- The previous version.
[edit] Translations
past act used as example
prior judgment in law
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[edit] Derived terms
- binding precedent
- declaratory precedent
- original precedent
- persuasive precedent
- precedential
- precedent-setting
- precedent sub silentio
- unprecedented
[edit] See also
[edit] Adjective
precedent (not comparable)
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Positive |
Superlative |
[edit] Translations
earlier in time
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