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Meaning of precedent
A precedent is an earlier event or situation that serves as a guide or justification for a present action or decision.
Etymology of precedent
The word "precedent" comes from the Latin "praecedere," which means "to go before" or "to precede."
The term has been used in English since the 15th century to refer to an earlier event or situation that serves as a guide or example.
In law, the concept of precedent has been used since ancient times, with the Romans using the term "judicata" to refer to a previous court decision that served as a guide for future cases.
Synonyms
example
model
pattern
standard
guideline
benchmark
prototype
paradigm
antecedent
forerunner
precursor
predecessor
harbinger
trendsetter
pioneer
innovator
trailblazer
groundbreaker
pathfinder
bellwether
touchstone
yardstick
measure
criterion
guideline
rule
regulation
law
statute
ordinance
decree
edict
directive
instruction
precedent case
landmark case
leading case
test case
Definitions
- A precedent is an earlier event or situation that serves as a guide or justification for a present action or decision, according to Oxford Languages.
- In law, a precedent refers to a previous court decision that serves as a guide or rule for deciding similar cases.
- In general usage, a precedent can refer to any earlier event, action, or decision that sets a standard or example for future actions or decisions.
Usage Examples
- The court's decision in this case sets a precedent for future cases involving similar issues.
- The company's decision to hire a diverse team set a precedent for other companies in the industry.
- The politician's actions were seen as a precedent for future leaders, showing that they could make tough decisions and still maintain public support.
Antonyms
exception
anomaly
aberration
outlier
deviation
departure
divergence
inconsistency
contradiction
opposite
reverse
antithesis
negation
refutation
denial
rejection
exclusion
omission
difference
distinction
disparity
inconsistency
irregularity
singularity