society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > justification > justify [verb (transitive)] > by precedents (2)
transitive. To cite an example or instance of (an action or event) from the past as justification; to excuse or justify by precedent. Obsolete.
intransitive. To cite or quote a precedent as an excuse or justification. Cf. example, n. 5b. Obsolete.