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Definitions for: Precedent [n] an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time
[n] (civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions
[n] a subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time)
[n] a system of jurisprudence based on judicial precedents rather than statutory laws; "common law originated in the the unwritten laws of England and was later applied in the United States"
[adj] preceding in time, order, or significance
Webster (1913) Definition: Pre*ced"ent, a. [L. praecedens, -entis, p. pr. of
praecedere: cf. F. pr['e]c['e]dent. See Precede.]
Going before; anterior; preceding; antecedent; as, precedent
services. --Shak. ``A precedent injury.'' --Bacon.
Condition precedent (Law), a condition which precede the
vesting of an estate, or the accruing of a right.
Prec"e*dent, n.
1. Something done or said that may serve as an example to
authorize a subsequent act of the same kind; an
authoritative example.
Examples for cases can but direct as precedents
only. --Hooker.
2. A preceding circumstance or condition; an antecedent;
hence, a prognostic; a token; a sign. [Obs.]
3. A rough draught of a writing which precedes a finished
copy. [Obs.] --Shak.
4. (Law) A judicial decision which serves as a rule for
future determinations in similar or analogous cases; an
authority to be followed in courts of justice; forms of
proceeding to be followed in similar cases. --Wharton.
Syn: Example; antecedent.
Usage: Precedent, Example. An example in a similar case
which may serve as a rule or guide, but has no
authority out of itself. A precedent is something
which comes down to us from the past with the sanction
of usage and of common consent. We quote examples in
literature, and precedents in law.
Synonyms: case in point, case law, case law, common law, common law, preceding(a)
See Also: civil law, example, illustration, instance, jurisprudence, law, representative, subject, theme, topic
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