precedents

noun

a subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time)

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

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

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

adjective

preceding in time, order, or significance

Roots

praepre- · Latin · before, in front cedo-ced · Latin · go, yield

Synonyms & related words for precedents

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Words related to precedents

Explore words related to precedents — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include precedented, precedential, precedently, jurisprudence, jurisprudentially, rulings, jurisprudential, statutes. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Where does precedents come from?

The word precedents breaks down into 2 roots of Latin origin: pre-, from Latin prae (“before, in front”); and -ced, from Latin cedo (“go, yield”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.