precedent

The definition of precedent is a decision that is the basis or reason for future decisions.

(noun)

An example of precedent is the legal decision in Brown v. Board of Education guiding future laws about desegregation.

See precedent in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

that precedes; preceding

Origin: ME < MFr précédent < L praecedens, prp. of praecedere, to precede

an act, statement, legal decision, case, etc. that may serve as an example, reason, or justification for a later one
a practice based upon earlier precedents

See precedent in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. An act or instance that may be used as an example in dealing with subsequent similar instances.
b. Law A judicial decision that may be used as a standard in subsequent similar cases: a landmark decision that set a legal precedent.
Convention or custom arising from long practice: The President followed historical precedent in forming the Cabinet.

adjective (prĭ-sēdˈnt, prĕsˈĭ-dənt)

Preceding.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin praecēdēns, praecēdent-

Origin: , present participle of praecēdere, to go before; see precede

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