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precedent English

Meaning precedent meaning

What does precedent mean?
Definitions in simple English

precedent

If something has a precedent, then either it has happened before or something very similar has happened before. A precedent is when a similar situation has preceded the current situation. People typically use precedent in an argument to claim that "if it happened before, then it can happen again". Outlawing tobacco products probably wouldn't work because of the precedent of prohibition in the 1920s. You are arguing that it's possible for people to catch diseases from animals, but there is no precedent for that.

precedent

an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time (= case law) (civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions a subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time) preceding in time, order, or significance (= common law) 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

Synonyms precedent synonyms

What other words have the same or similar meaning as precedent?

Topics precedent topics

What do people use precedent to talk about?

Examples precedent examples

How do I use precedent in a sentence?

Simple sentences

There is no precedent for such a case.
He set a precedent.
This is a bad precedent.
If we do this, it'll set a precedent.

Movie subtitles

A precedent is being broken.
Another precedent gone.
My dear, centuries of precedent say the professor is right.
It's completely without precedent.
Excellency, this is entirely without precedent.
No doubt. but unfortunately, pirates have more respect for cannon. than precedent.
Yet if you strike him down, then the way will be clear, a precedent established, for someone to strike down the next Pharaoh. Whose name you hope, will be Horemheb.
Just think, you'll be establishing a precedent.
There's no medical precedent for what's happening to you.
I have anticipated this objection and can meet it with ample precedent.
This is precedent.
Looks like a precedent.
I don't know of any precedent that allows a man to refuse a decoration.
I stress the danger of setting a precedent.
Why, it's a case without precedent. We have no authority.
Monsieur, the management feels that to sell a pair of pajamas without the trousers would create a precedent, and the consequences might prove disastrous.
There's no precedent, but this is an emergency without precedent.
Well! A precedent is being broken. Emil?
Forgive me for setting a precedent.
Well a precedent is being broken.
The rule exists and if we break it at this time, we'd be establishing a precedent.
Just think, you'd be establishing a precedent.
Also this would create a precedent. the consequences of which are hard to predict.
Let's not set a precedent.
Unless we get anything more positive on it, it seems to me the condition of our own crew takes precedent.
There is sufficient precedent for existence of creature, nature unknown, which could exist on emotion of fear.
Not without precedent, Captain.
Or thy precedent services are all But accidents unpurposed.
An interesting point, Junior, and one that may set a significant precedent.
If it didn't create a moral precedent which we can't afford just at the present time.
You know that capital punishment has long been abolished here in Gallifrey, but there is a precedent for a situation like this.

News and current affairs

Fortunately, there is a multilateral option and an existing precedent.
On the other hand, the move sets a worrying precedent, injecting politics into a policy area that had been governed by objective economic considerations.
A recurrent characteristic of Europe's debt-crisis debate is a Latin American precedent.
With his white mother and his African father, he does not fit any African-American precedent.
It may also be that notice has been taken of the precedent, and that those authorities that intend to use it to justify future moves are loathe to criticize it.
What makes the North Korea precedent particularly troubling is how much Iran has mimicked the regime in Pyongyang.
How he proposes to do this is unclear - historical precedent is of little use.
He may well have maintained that stance had China not established the ADIZ, which set an ominous new precedent by usurping international airspace over the East China Sea, including areas that China does not control.
The UK's unwritten constitution is based entirely on tradition and precedent.
The only precedent for this since 1950 was the 37-month period from September 1974 to September 1977, which launched the worst inflation the US has seen in the last century.
There is no precedent anywhere in the world that suggests that such a two-tier process can succeed.
To be sure, the Brown precedent is not entirely analogous, for there the Supreme Court gave weight to foreign policy considerations in just the way that the federal executive had urged.
Incredibly, the US is now soaking up roughly two-thirds of all global net saving, a situation without historical precedent.
But the Party is haunted by the Soviet precedent.
Indeed, after Thomas Sargent won the Nobel Prize in Economics last year, he cited it as a precedent in his acceptance speech.
There is precedent for this: whenever the dollar weakens, foreign central banks are eager to help.
Or is it a unique case that should not be viewed as a precedent for either the Arab world in general or the Maghreb in particular?
More controversially, Gauck proclaimed the need for Security Council authorization of any use of force, but also hinted at a Kosovo precedent for possible military intervention in Syria.
That precedent should serve as a warning of how vulnerable governments and their finances can rapidly become, and of how fiscal policy can stand in the way of a monetary approach oriented toward stability.
Implemented correctly, these treaties could become a hopeful precedent for the entire European Union.
It also sets a precedent for the UK, preparing the way for future prime ministers to make advances in this direction.
The precedent of Greece, hardly a poster child for European accession, seems especially relevant when applied to its northern neighbors, which are similarly plagued with high rates of corruption and unemployment.
The most recent precedent was the bipartisan agreement reached earlier this year on another fiscal issue that threatened to disrupt the normal functioning of government: the absence of a formally approved budget for this year.
During the last three years, Latin America has experienced an economic boom without precedent.
Such a precedent would be applicable to the other member states, which would mean the end of the EU.
There is a recent precedent for this vision, and thus reason to be hopeful.

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