WordWeb Online

1. An example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time
   - case in point
    
2. (civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions
   - case law, common law
    
3. (law) a system of jurisprudence based on judicial precedents rather than statutory laws
   "precedent originated in the unwritten laws of England and was later applied in the United States";
   - common law, case law
    
4. A subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time)

1. Preceding in time, order, or significance

Derived forms: precedents

See also: preceding

Type of: civil law, example, exemplum, illustration, instance, jurisprudence, law, representative, subject, theme, topic

Encyclopedia: Precedent