Definitions for precedents

• Definition
• Anagrams (512)

precedents prec·e·dent

Spelling: [noun pres-i-duh nt; adjective pri- Precedents is a 10 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 15 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 18 points.

You can make 512 anagrams from letters in precedents (cdeeenprst).

Definitions for precedents

noun

1. Law. a legal decision or form of proceeding serving as an authoritative rule or pattern in future similar or analogous cases.
2. any act, decision, or case that serves as a guide or justification for subsequent situations. Synonyms: example, model, pattern, standard.

adjective

1. going or coming before; preceding; anterior.

Origin of precedents

1350-1400; (adj.) Middle English Latin praecēdent- (stem of praecēdēns) present participle of praecēdere to go before, precede (see Examples for precedents

He did no more than follow the precedents of his own and every surrounding nation.

Historical parallels and precedents for social media abound.

He ventured to declare—following the precedents—that she had treated him shamefully.

This is about a health-care law that is reality and the setting of precedents on executive power.

John Roberts assured the Senate Judiciary Committee that judges must "be bound down by rules and precedents."

We've certainly upset some precedents, broken some rules, and maybe some laws.

Ironically, almost all the precedents he mentions demonstrate the need for partition of one kind or another.

At a press luncheon Tuesday, he again expressed his confidence that the justices will “abide by well-established” precedents.

These were chiefly well-meaning folks, not much given to the study of precedents.

There were mountains of precedents on this side or that, as you pleased.