|  precedent 
 
 1. an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time (Freq. 3)
 • Syn:
 case in point
 • Derivationally related forms:
 precede
 • Hypernyms:
 example, illustration, instance, representative
 2. (civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions (Freq. 1)
 • Syn:
 case law, common law
 • Topics:
 civil law
 • Members of this Topic:
 service
 • Hypernyms:
 civil law
 3. a system of jurisprudence based on judicial precedents rather than statutory laws
 - common law originated in the unwritten laws of England and was later applied in the United States
 • Syn:
 common law, case law
 • Topics:
 law, jurisprudence
 • Hypernyms:
 law, jurisprudence
 4. a subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time)
 • Derivationally related forms:
 precede
 • Hypernyms:
 subject, topic, theme
 
 preceding in time, order, or significance
 • Similar to:
 preceding
 • Derivationally related forms:
 precedency, precedence, precede
 
 
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