precedent

Defined in 6 dictionaries — Case Law, Black's (1910), Kinney (1893), Anderson (1889), Stimson (1881), Abbott (1879)

Definitions from Case Law

From 266 U.S. 507 - Webster v. Fall · 1925Most cited · 1,256 citing opinions

Questions which merely lurk in the record, neither brought to the attention of the court nor ruled upon, are not to be considered as having been so decided as to constitute precedents.

Show all 2 Supreme Court definitions and how they changed over time 1925–1945

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

An adjudged case or decision of a court of justice, considered as furnishing an example or authority for an identical or similar case afterwards arising or a similar question of law. A draught of a conveyance, settlement, will, pleading, bill, or other legal instrument, which is considered worthy to serve as a pattern for future instrumento of the same nature.

A Law Dictionary and Glossary

George C. Kinney · 1893

That which goes before, or takes place befora v. Condition.

A Dictionary of Law

William C. Anderson · 1889

^ 1, adj. Going before; to happen or be performed before any right under it can vest or be claimed: as, a precedent condition, q. v. 3, n. An authoritative example. A decision cited in support of a proposition.' See further Decisum, Stare, etc. A draught of a deed, pleading, will, or other instrument serviceable as a model or form. As the title of a law book, " precedents " denotes a collection of forms approved by usage and, perhaps, by judicial decision.

Glossary of Technical Terms, Phrases, and Maxims of the Common Law

Frederic Jesup Stimson · 1881

v. Condition,. An adjudged case; a recognized method of procedure.

Dictionary of Terms and Phrases Used in American or English Jurisprudence

Benjamin Vaughan Abbott · 1879

An example which may be followed. The word is used principally, though by no means exclusively, to indicate one of the two following things: A decision in a court of justice, cited in support of any proposition for which it is desired to contend. A draught of a deed, will, mortgage, pleading, &c., which may serve as patterns for future draughtsmen and conveyancers.