Precedent: meaning, definitions and examples
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precedent
[ ˈpresɪd(ə)nt ]
legal
A precedent is a legal case that establishes a principle or rule. It serves as a guide for deciding similar cases in the future.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The judge referred to a precedent set by a previous court case.
- This decision could set a dangerous precedent for future cases.
general
A precedent is an earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The success of the project set a precedent for future collaborations.
- Her behavior set a bad precedent for the rest of the team.
Translations
Translations of the word "precedent" in other languages:
🇵🇹 precedente
🇮🇳 मिसाल
🇩🇪 Präzedenzfall
🇮🇩 preseden
🇺🇦 прецедент
🇵🇱 precedens
🇯🇵 先例 (せんれい)
🇫🇷 précédent
🇪🇸 precedente
🇹🇷 emsal
🇰🇷 선례 (선례)
🇸🇦 سابقة
🇨🇿 precedens
🇸🇰 precedens
🇨🇳 先例 (xiānlì)
🇸🇮 precedens
🇮🇸 fordæmi
🇰🇿 прецедент
🇬🇪 პრეცედენტი
🇦🇿 presedent
🇲🇽 precedente
Word origin
The word 'precedent' comes from the Latin word 'praecedent-' meaning 'going before'. In the legal context, the concept of precedent dates back to English common law and the development of the doctrine of stare decisis, which means to stand by things decided. Precedents play a crucial role in legal reasoning and decision-making, ensuring consistency and predictability in the application of the law.