precedent Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time
case in point.
noun (civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions
common law; case law.
noun a system of jurisprudence based on judicial precedents rather than statutory laws
common law; case law.
- common law originated in the unwritten laws of England and was later applied in the United States
noun a subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time)
adjective satellite preceding in time, order, or significance

L. praecedens, -entis, p. pr. of praecedere: cf. F. précédent. See Precede.

Going before; anterior; preceding; antecedent; as, precedent services. Shak. "A precedent injury." Bacon.

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.
A preceding circumstance or condition; an antecedent; hence, a prognostic; a token; a sign. Obs.
A rough draught of a writing which precedes a finished copy. Obs. Shak.
(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. -- 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.