Look up: precedent

1. 
   precedent
   [adj] - preceding in time, order, or significance 2. [n] - a subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time) 3. [n] - an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time
   Found on http://www.webdictionary.co.uk/definitio
   
   
2. 
   precedent
   Common law principle that, in deciding a particular case, judges are bound to follow any applicable principles of law laid down by superior courts in earlier reported cases. ...
   Found on http://www.thehistorychannel.co.uk/site/
   
   
3. 
   Precedent
   The decision of a case which established principles of law that act as an authority for future cases of a similar nature
   Found on http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/infoa
   
   
4. 
   Precedent
   A court judgement cited as an authority in later cases with similar facts. A precedent will only bind courts lower than the one in which it was made
   Found on http://www.jisclegal.ac.uk/glossary.htm
   
   
5. 
   Precedent
   Pre·ced'ent adjective [ Latin praecedens , -entis , present participle of praecedere : confer French précédent . See Precede .] Going before; anterior; preceding; antecedent; as, precedent services. Shak. 'A precedent injury.' Bacon. Condition precedent (Law) , a condition which precede the vesting of an estate, ...
   Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/webster/P/144
   
   
6. 
   Precedent
   Prec'e·dent noun 1. Something done or said that may serve as an example to authorize a subsequent act of the same kind; an authoritative example. « Examples for cases can but direct as precedents only.» Hooker. 2. A preceding circumstance or condition; an antecedent; hence, a prognostic; a token; a sign. [ Obsolete] 3. A rough draught of a writing ...
   Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/webster/P/144
   
   
7. 
   precedent
   adjective preceding in time, order, or significance
   Found on http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?
   
   
8. 
   precedent
   case in point noun an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time
   Found on http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?
   
   
9. 
   Precedent
   In common law legal systems, a `precedent` or `authority` is a legal case establishing a principle or rule that a court or other judicial body adopts when deciding subsequent cases with similar issues or facts.
   Found on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precedent
   
   
10. 
    Precedent
    • (n.) A rough draught of a writing which precedes a finished copy. • (n.) Something done or said that may serve as an example to authorize a subsequent act of the same kind; an authoritative example. • (a.) Going before; anterior; preceding; antecedent; as, precedent services. • (n.) A judicial decision which serves as a rule f...
    Found on http://thinkexist.com/dictionary/meaning
    
    
11. 
    precedent
    in law, a judgment or decision of a court that is cited in a subsequent dispute as an example or analogy to justify deciding a similar case or point ... [4 related articles]
    Found on http://www.britannica.com/eb/a-z/p/107
    
    
12. 
    precedent
    precedent 1. A previous act or instance that may be used as an example in dealing with subsequent similar instances. 2. In law, a judicial decision that may be used as a standard in subsequent similar cases. 3. A convention or custom arising from long practice. 4. An example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time. ...
    Found on http://www.wordinfo.info/words/index/inf
    
    
13. 
    precedent
    A previous judicial case used as an example for deciding the case at hand.
    Found on http://polisci.nelson.com/glossary.html