precedent

Noun

precedent (plural precedents)

1. An act in the past which may be used as an example to help decide the outcome of similar instances in the future.
   • Examples for cases can but direct as precedents only.[1594], Richard Hooker, edited by J[ohn] S[penser], Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie, […], London: […] Iohn Windet, […], →OCLC, (please specify the page)
2. A decided case which is cited or used as an example to justify a judgment in a subsequent case.
3. An established habit or custom.
4. (obsolete, with-definite-article) The aforementioned (thing).
   • A third argument may be derived from the precedent., New York 2001, p.74
5. The previous version.
6. (obsolete) A rough draught of a writing which precedes a finished copy.
   • My Lord Melun, let this be copied out,
     I did suppose it should be on constraint ;
     And keep it safe for our remembrance :
     But , heaven be thank'd , it is but voluntary ,
     Return the precedent to these lords againc. 1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Iohn”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward]...

Adjective

IPA/pɹɪˈsiː.dənt/

precedent (not comparable)

1. Happening or taking place earlier in time; previous or preceding.

   Synonyms:

   antecedent, predecessive

2. (archaic) Coming before in a particular order or arrangement; preceding, foregoing.
   • In the precedent section mention was made, amongst other pleasant objects, of this comeliness and beauty which proceeds from women […].1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC, partition III...

Verb

precedent (third-person singular simple present precedents, present participle precedenting, simple past and past participle precedented)

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