You searched for: “precedents”
precedence, precedents
precedence (PRES i duhns, pri SEED n's) (noun)
A position of superior honor in a formal occasion or ceremonial event; a priority: The president of the university was given precedence in terms of where he sat during the banquet.
precedents (PRES i duhns) (noun)
1. The instances and standards that have been set as authorities and may serve as examples to justify later proceedings: The judge noted there were several precedents in the law books for her ruling at the end of the trial.
2. Activities that are well established and based on practice over time: Morning coffee and afternoon tea are two precedents which are traditions in Ryan's office.

The precedents at their college dictate that the seating of visiting scholars in the dining hall takes precedence over the part time instructors.

This entry is located in the following unit: Confusing Words Clarified: Group P; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc. + (page 7)
precedent (s) (noun), precedents (pl)
1. A previous act or instance that may be used as an example in dealing with subsequent similar instances: In law, a judicial decision that may be used as a precedent in comparable cases that take place at a later time.
2. An example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time: Margaret set a precedent by being the first woman executive in her company.
5. Etymology: "to go before" in rank or importance, from Modern French preceder, from Latin præcedere, "to go before" from præ-, "before" + cedere, "to go".
Something said or done that is a model for others to do.
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Anything that is said or done that provides an example for others to follow.
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This entry is located in the following units: -cede, -ceed, -cess, -cease (page 4) pre-, prae- (page 3)