precedents

Noun

• an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time
• (civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions
• a system of jurisprudence based on judicial precedents rather than statutory laws
• a subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time)
• plural of precedent

Verb

• third-person singular simple present indicative of precedent

Synonyms

case in point, case law, common law, precedent