precedent
nounmasculineformal/pɾɨ.sɨˈðẽ.tɨ/medium
pre·ce·den·te
Definition
An earlier event, decision, or case that serves as an example or justification for similar subsequent cases, especially in law.
The court's ruling set a dangerous precedent.
There is no precedent for this situation in our company.
Common collocations
set a precedentlegal precedentfollow a precedentdangerous precedent
Etymology
Do latim *praecedens, -entis* (particípio presente de *praecedere*).