adj.
1.preceding in time, order, or significance precedent n.
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
4.a subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time)
Idiom of the Day
make a clean sweep of (something)
to do or win something completely or thoroughly
The new political party made a clean sweep of the large cities during the election.