Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

precedent

[noun pres-i-duh nt; adjective pri-seed-nt, pres-i-duh nt]
noun
  1. Law. a legal decision or form of proceeding serving as an authoritative rule or pattern in future similar or analogous cases.
  2. any act, decision, or case that serves as a guide or justification for subsequent situations.
Show More
adjective pre·ce·dent [pri-seed-nt, pres-i-duh nt] /prɪˈsid nt, ˈprɛs ɪ dənt/
  1. going or coming before; preceding; anterior.
Show More

Origin of precedent

1350–1400; (adj.) Middle English < Latin praecēdent- (stem of praecēdēns) present participle of praecēdere to go before, precede (see -ent); (noun) late Middle English, derivative of the adj.
Related formsprec·e·dent·less, adjectivenon·prec·e·dent, nounnon·pre·ced·ent, adjectivequa·si-pre·ced·ent, adjective
Can be confusedprecedence precedents presidents
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for non-precedent

precedent

noun (ˈprɛsɪdənt)
  1. law a judicial decision that serves as an authority for deciding a later case
  2. an example or instance used to justify later similar occurrences
Show More
adjective (prɪˈsiːdənt, ˈprɛsɪdənt)
  1. preceding
Show More
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for non-precedent

precedent

n.

early 15c., "case which may be taken as a rule in similar cases," from Middle French precedent, noun use of an adjective, from Latin praecedentum (nominative praecedens), present participle of praecedere "go before" (see precede). Meaning "thing or person that goes before another" is attested from mid-15c. As an adjective in English from c.1400. As a verb meaning "to furnish with a precedent" from 1610s, now only in past participle precedented.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
non-precedent in Culture

precedent

[(press-uh-duhnt)]

A previous ruling by a court that influences subsequent decisions in cases with similar issues.

Show More
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Idioms and Phrases with non-precedent

precedent

see set a precedent.

Show More
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.