Vocabulary Word
Word: precedent
Definition: something preceding in time which may be used as an authority or guide for future action; V. precede; CF. unprecedented
Definition: something preceding in time which may be used as an authority or guide for future action; V. precede; CF. unprecedented
Sentences Containing 'precedent'
His interference, in that particular instance, might have been an excellent thing, but to permit it would have been to establish a most pernicious precedent.
In doubtful cases such courts, from their anxiety to avoid blame, would naturally endeavour to shelter themselves under the example or precedent of the judges who had sat before them, either in the same or in some other court.
This attention to practice and precedent, necessarily formed the Roman law into that regular and orderly system in which it has been delivered down to us; and the like attention has had the like effects upon the laws of every other country where such attention has taken place.
To create a compeer in empire, as he did with Verus, was a dangerous innovation which could only succeed if one of the two effaced himself; and under Diocletian this very precedent caused the Roman Empire to split into halves.
It appeared to me to be a thing impossible and contrary to all precedent that so good a knight should have been without some sage to undertake the task of writing his marvellous achievements; a thing that was never wanting to any of those knights-errant who, they say, went after adventures; for every one of them had one or two sages as if made on purpose, who not only recorded their deeds but described their most trifling thoughts and follies, however secret they might be; and such a good knight could not have been so unfortunate as not to have what Platir and others like him had in abundance.
First, when we analyze our thoughts or ideas, however compounded or sublime, we always find that they resolve themselves into such simple ideas as were copied from a precedent feeling or sentiment.
More Vocab Words
::: exceptionable - objectionable; likely to cause dislike; offensive; CF. unexceptionable: entirely acceptable::: relegate - put into a lower or worse place; banish to an inferior position; delegate; assign; Ex. relegate the old furniture to the children's room; Ex. relegated to the second division
::: contrive - invent or fabricate in a clever way (by improvisation); manage; Ex. contrive to attract his attention
::: vicar - parish priest; representative
::: disjointed - disconnected; lacking coherence; V. disjoint: disconnect; disjoin
::: concomitant - that which accompanies; Ex. Deafnes is a frequent concommitant of old age; ADJ: existing or happening together with something else
::: headstrong - willful; stubborn; unyielding; determined to have one's own way; CF. no 'excessive'
::: impassive - without feeling; expressionless; imperturbable; stoical; Ex. impassive face
::: filial - pertaining to or befitting a son or daughter; Ex. filial respect
::: prolific - producing offspring or fruit in abundance; fertile; fecund; abundantly fruitful; producing abundant works; Ex. prolific writer
