precedent
- n. 先例;前例
- adj. 在前的;在先的
英英释意
- 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)