PRECEDENT

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does precedent mean? 

• PRECEDENT (noun)
  The noun PRECEDENT has 4 senses:

1. an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time

2. (civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions

3. a system of jurisprudence based on judicial precedents rather than statutory laws

4. a subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time)

  Familiarity information: PRECEDENT used as a noun is uncommon.

• PRECEDENT (adjective)
  The adjective PRECEDENT has 1 sense:

1. preceding in time, order, or significance

  Familiarity information: PRECEDENT used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PRECEDENT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

case in point; precedent

Hypernyms ("precedent" is a kind of...):

example; illustration; instance; representative (an item of information that is typical of a class or group)

Derivation:

precede (be earlier in time; go back further)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

case law; common law; precedent

Hypernyms ("precedent" is a kind of...):

civil law (the body of laws established by a state or nation for its own regulation)

Domain category:

civil law (the body of laws established by a state or nation for its own regulation)

Domain member category:

service ((law) the acts performed by an English feudal tenant for the benefit of his lord which formed the consideration for the property granted to him)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A system of jurisprudence based on judicial precedents rather than statutory laws

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Synonyms:

case law; common law; precedent

Context example:

common law originated in the unwritten laws of England and was later applied in the United States

Hypernyms ("precedent" is a kind of...):

jurisprudence; law (the collection of rules imposed by authority)

Domain category:

jurisprudence; law (the collection of rules imposed by authority)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("precedent" is a kind of...):

subject; theme; topic (the subject matter of a conversation or discussion)

Derivation:

precede (come before)

precedent (preceding in time, order, or significance)

• PRECEDENT (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Preceding in time, order, or significance

Similar:

preceding (existing or coming before)

Derivation:

precede (come before)

precede (be earlier in time; go back further)

precedence (the act of preceding in time or order or rank (as in a ceremony))

precedence (preceding in time)

precedency (the act of preceding in time or order or rank (as in a ceremony))

precedent (a subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time))

 Context examples 

Having no previous example or precedent or parallel; of a kind not seen before.

(New, NCI Thesaurus)

Whether they had ever, at different times, pleaded for and against the same cause, and cited precedents to prove contrary opinions?

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

Its reception into the Union was a precedent which may have far-reaching effects hereafter, when the Pole and the Tropics may hold alliance to the Stars and Stripes.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

There are no precedents for these kinds of social practices in the Iberian Peninsula and they are unique to the Balearic Islands.

(Hair was dyed for first time as part of funeral rituals, University of Granada)

A most dangerous precedent indeed!

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

“Extremely sorry. It is not usual to cancel articles for any such reason. It is not a professional course of proceeding. It is not a convenient precedent at all. Far from it. At the same time—”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

As to the decision of civil causes, or proceedings against criminals, their precedents are so few, that they have little reason to boast of any extraordinary skill in either.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

These, under the name of precedents, they produce as authorities to justify the most iniquitous opinions; and the judges never fail of directing accordingly.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

For instance, in the case already mentioned; they never desire to know what claim or title my adversary has to my cow; but whether the said cow were red or black; her horns long or short; whether the field I graze her in be round or square; whether she was milked at home or abroad; what diseases she is subject to, and the like; after which they consult precedents, adjourn the cause from time to time, and in ten, twenty, or thirty years, come to an issue.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)