precedent

An adjective describing something that serves as an example or rule to be followed in the future, especially in legal contexts.

• 🇨🇳形容词，指作为先例的、可作为日后效仿或遵循的范例或规则的，尤用于法律语境。

1. Prior or earlier C1 formal

   Existing or occurring before in time, order, or importance.

   • The precedent events shaped the outcome of the trial.
   • This decision is based on precedent rulings.
   • Precedent conditions must be considered before making a judgment.

   🇨🇳在先的

   同义词: antecedentanteriorformerprecedingpreviousprior

   反义词: followingsubsequentsucceeding

• more precedent comparative form
• most precedent superlative form

A noun referring to an earlier event, action, or decision that serves as an example or guide for similar situations in the future, especially in legal contexts.

• 🇨🇳名词，指先前发生的事件、行为或决定，可作为未来类似情况的范例或依据，尤其在法律语境中。

1. Legal precedent B2 formal

   A previous court decision or case that serves as an example or authority for deciding similar cases in the future.

   • The judge cited a landmark precedent in her ruling.
   • This case sets a new precedent for intellectual property law.
   • Lawyers often rely on precedent to argue their cases.

   🇨🇳判例

   同义词: authoritycase lawdecisionjudgmentruling

2. General example B2 formal

   An earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in similar circumstances.

   • There is no precedent for such a large-scale evacuation.
   • His decision broke with precedent and surprised everyone.
   • The company's policy set a precedent for flexible working hours.

   🇨🇳先例

   同义词: antecedentexampleexemplarguideinstancemodelpatternyardstick

• precedents plural form
• precedents' possessive plural form
• precedent's possessive singular form