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precedent definition

pre·ced·ent (prē sēd′'nt, pri-; for n. pres′ə dənt)

adjective

that precedes; preceding

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

noun precedent prec′·edent

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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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