precedent
noun /ˈprɛsɪd(ə)nt 
/
/1An earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances: there are substantial precedents for using interactive media in training...
- Once these spaces are let go to development there would be no stopping further development because there would be a precedent set.
- Historical precedent shows pubs have changed their names through the years, usually for good reasons.
- We all have to go through the same nonsense, which seems crazy considering the precedent set at the first hearing.
Synonyms
model, exemplar, example, pattern, previous case, prior case, previous instance/example, prior instance/example;
paradigm, criterion, yardstick, standard, lead, guide
1.1 Law A previous case or legal decision that may be or (binding precedent) must be followed in subsequent similar cases: we hope to set a legal precedent to protect hundreds of miles of green lanes...
- The court should never view a foreign legal decision as a precedent in any way.
- A lower court cannot set precedent, and must follow any higher courts decision.
- If this court hears the case, they say, any decision would set a precedent and would have ramifications across the country.
adjective /prɪˈsiːd(ə)nt / /ˈprɛsiːd(ə)nt/
/ /ˈprɛsiːd(ə)nt/Preceding in time, order, or importance: a precedent case...
- I shall add to the definition of humanly free agents, that they are agents whose choices do not have fully deterministic precedent causes.
- All that has happened is that there is a set of precedent requirements of a procedural kind before a court case can be commenced.
- Once a power to detain is held to depend on precedent fact, then of course anyone subjected to it can properly invoke habeas corpus.
Origin
Late Middle English: from Old French, literally 'preceding'.