precedent

nouns

an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time
case in point, precedent
is derived from
precede
(civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions
case law, common law, precedent
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"
case law, common law, precedent
a subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time)
precedent
is derived from
precede
is a type of (narrower)
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
"he didn't want to discuss that subject"; "it was a very sensitive topic"; "his letters were always on the theme of love"
subject, theme, topic

adjectives

preceding in time, order, or significance
precedent
is derived from
precedency
is derived from
precedence
is derived from
precedence
is derived from
precede
is derived from
precede
is similar to
existing or coming before
preceding