See Also: precedent(1)(dictionary)
precedent(2)(dictionary)
precedent(dictionary)
precedent(dictionary)
Precedent(law)
Binding Precedent(law)

precedent(2) (iou)



precedent noun. LME.
[Old & mod. French precedent, use as noun of the adjective: see PRECEDENT adjective.]
a. A thing just mentioned. Usu. in pl., the preceding facts, statements, etc. LME-E17.
b. A sign, an indication. Only in 16.
c. An original of which a copy is made. rare (Shakes.). Only in L16.
d. A prior event; an antecedent. L17-L18.
A previous instance taken as an example or rule for subsequent cases, or used to support a similar act or circumstance; spec. (Law) a judicial decision which constitutes a source of law for subsequent cases of a similar kind. LME.
without precedent unprecedented.
C. Hill The execution of Mary Queen of Scots..set a precedent for sitting in judgment on the Lord's Anointed. P. Gay He had no precedent for this work..but had to invent the rules for it.
A record of past proceedings, serving as a guide for subsequent cases. LME-M17.
a. An example to be copied; a pattern, an exemplar. obsolete exc. Law. M16.
b. An instance, an illustration. M16-L17.