precedent

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   An earlier event or action used as an example or guide for later ones.

   The court's ruling set an important precedent.

2. 2
   noun

   (law) A past judicial decision that guides later cases.

   Lawyers cited several precedents to support their argument.

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

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