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Synonyms
prec·e·dent (prĕśĭ-dənt)

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin praecēdēns, praecēdent- present participle of praecēdere, to go before; see precede.]

noun 

    1. An act or instance that may be used as an example in dealing with subsequent similar instances.
    2. Law A judicial decision that may be used as a standard in subsequent similar cases: a landmark decision that set a legal precedent.
  2. Convention or custom arising from long practice: The President followed historical precedent in forming the Cabinet.

adjective 

Preceding.