precedent
1. pre.ce.dent \pri-'se-d-*nt, 'pres-*d-*nt\ aj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L praecedent-, praecedens, prp. of praecedereX : prior in time, order, arrangement, or significance 2. prec.e.dent \'pres-*d-*nt\ n 1: an earlier occurrence of something similar 2a: something done or said that may serve as an example or rule to authoriz e or justify a subsequent act of the same or an analogous kind 2b: the convention established by such a precedent or by long practice