n. 1. a. An act or instance that may be used as an example in dealing with subsequent similar instances. b. Law A judicial decision that is binding on other equal or lower courts in the same jurisdiction as to its conclusion on a point of law, and may also be persuasive to courts in other jurisdictions, in subsequent cases involving sufficiently similar facts. 2. Convention or custom arising from long practice: The president followed historical precedent in forming the Cabinet. adj. (prĭ-sēdnt, prĕsĭ-dənt) Preceding. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin praecēdēns, praecēdent-, present participle of praecēdere, to go before; see PRECEDE.] |
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