PRECEDENT

Definition of PRECEDENT

  1. (noun)an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time
  2. (noun)(civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions
  3. (noun)a system of jurisprudence based on judicial precedents rather than statutory laws
  4. (noun)a subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time)
  5. (adj)preceding in time, order, or significance