Precedence
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary · Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
PATENT OF.
In English law
A grant from the crown to such barristers as it thinks proper to honor with that mark of distinction, whereby they are entitled to such rank apd preaudience as are assigned in their respective patents.
3 Steph. Comm. 274.