precedent
Word family
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++pre·ce·dent /ˈpresɪdənt/ ●○○ AWL noun 1 [countable]SCL an action or official decision that can be used to give support to later actions or decisions 可援引的先例[判例] a legal precedent 判例set/create a precedent UN involvement in the country’s affairs would set a dangerous precedent. 联合国介入该国事务将成为一个危险的先例。precedent for precedents for what courts will accept as ‘fair’ 法院认为可以称得上“公平”的判例2 [countable, uncountable]BEFORE something of the same type that has happened or existed before 以前有过的事例，先例，前例precedent for There’s not much precedent for men taking leave when their baby is born. 男性因孩子出生而休假的先例不多。without precedent An epidemic on this scale is without precedent. 如此规模的流行病是史无前例的。3 [uncountable]TRADITION the way that things have always been done 惯例break with precedent (=do something in a new way) 打破惯例n COLLOCATIONS – Meanings 1 & 2verbsset/establish a precedentThe decision is important as it could set a legal precedent for other similar cases.create a precedentIf we allow this once, it will create a precedent.follow a precedentNow he is following a precedent set by military leaders around the world.use something as a precedentLatin America was afraid that the invasion of Panama would be used as a precedent.adjectivesa bad precedentSuch a harsh punishment would set a bad precedent.a dangerous precedent (=one that could cause problems in the future)They opposed the plan, saying it would create a dangerous precedent.an important precedentBy doing this, an important precedent was established.a legal precedent (=one that is important in law and so must be followed in legal cases)There are several legal precedents for this.Examples from the Corpus
precedent• There are precedents on both sides of the argument.• Therefore, this could hardly be regarded as a binding precedent.• There were, of course, literary precedents for this.• We accept our responsibility not to retreat from interpreting the full meaning of the covenant in light of all of our precedents.• The unusual video arrangement will not set a presidential precedent.• The public will not be outraged if it is told that precedents will be confined to their facts.precedent for• There is no precedent for an empire as vast as that of Russia.without precedent• The protest was without precedent in a land where strikes are taboo.break with precedent• So, Major may be going for broke by breaking with precedent.From Longman Business Dictionaryprecedentpre‧ce‧dent /ˈpresɪdənt/ noun [countable] LAW an official action or decision which can be used later to support another legal decisionThe injunction on imports could set a precedent for other patent-infringement cases.Solicitors are aiming tofollow a precedent established several years ago. → see also condition precedentpre·ce·dent noun →n COLLOCATIONS1LDOCE OnlineChineseSyllable
that official decision action Business Corpus or an
precedent
pre‧ce‧dent AC /ˈpresədənt, ˈpresɪdənt/
noun1. [countable] an action or official decision that can be used to give support to later actions or decisions:
a legal precedent
set/create a precedent
UN involvement in the country’s affairs would set a dangerous precedent.
precedent for
precedents for what courts will accept as ‘fair’
2. [uncountable and countable] something of the same type that has happened or existed before
precedent for
There’s not much precedent for men taking leave when their baby is born.
without precedent
An epidemic on this scale is without precedent.
3. [uncountable] the way that things have always been done
break with precedent (=do something in a new way)
■ verbs
▪set/establish a precedent The decision is important as it could set a legal precedent for other similar cases.
▪create a precedent If we allow this once, it will create a precedent.
▪follow a precedent Now he is following a precedent set by military leaders around the world.
▪use something as a precedent Latin America was afraid that the invasion of Panama would be used as a precedent.
■ adjectives
▪a bad precedent Such a harsh punishment would set a bad precedent.
▪a dangerous precedent (=one that could cause problems in the future) They opposed the plan, saying it would create a dangerous precedent.
▪an important precedent By doing this, an important precedent was established.
▪a legal precedent (=one that is important in law and so must be followed in legal cases) There are several legal precedents for this.
pre‧ce‧dent AC /ˈpresədənt, ˈpresɪdənt/
noun1. [countable] an action or official decision that can be used to give support to later actions or decisions: set/create a precedent
precedent for
2. [uncountable and countable] something of the same type that has happened or existed before
precedent for
without precedent
3. [uncountable] the way that things have always been done
break with precedent (=do something in a new way)
| COLLOCATIONS |
| (for Meanings 1 & 2) |
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