Precedent

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /pɹᵻˈsiː.dÉ™nt/
• UK enPR: prÄ•'sÄ­-dÉ™nt, IPA: /ˈpɹɛ.sáµ».dÉ™nt/
• US IPA: /pɹiˈsidnÌ©t/
• US IPA: /ˈpɹɛsÉ™dnÌ©t/
• Aus IPA: /ˈpɹi.sɪ.dÉ™nt/

Alternative forms

• præcedent archaic

Origin

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

Full definition of precedent

Noun

1. An act in the past which may be used as an example to help decide the outcome of similar instances in the future.
• HookerExamples for cases can but direct as precedents only.
2. (legal) A decided case which is cited or used as an example to justify a judgment in a subsequent case.
3. (obsolete, with definite article) The aforementioned (thing).
• 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, New York 2001, p. 74:A third argument may be derived from the precedent.
4. The previous version.
5. (obsolete) A rough draught of a writing which precedes a finished copy.

Derived terms

Adjective

1. Happening or taking place earlier in time; previous or preceding. from 14th c.
2. (now rare) Coming before in a particular order or arrangement; preceding, foregoing. from 15th c.
• 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, III.2.1.i:In the precedent section mention was made, amongst other pleasant objects, of this comeliness and beauty which proceeds from women ….

Verb

1. (transitive, legal) To provide precedents for.
2. (transitive, legal) To be a precedent for.