precedent

英 ['presɪd(ə)nt] 美['prɛsɪdənt]

• n. 先例；前例
• adj. 在前的；在先的

1. an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time

2. (civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions

3. a system of jurisprudence based on judicial precedents rather than statutory laws;

"common law originated in the unwritten laws of England and was later applied in the United States"

4. a subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time)