early 15c., "case which may be taken as a rule in similar cases," from Middle French precedent, noun use of an adjective, from Latin praecedentum (nominative praecedens), present participle of praecedere "go before" (see precede). Meaning "thing or person that goes before another" is attested from mid-15c. As an adjective in English from c. 1400. As a verb meaning "to furnish with a precedent" from 1610s, now only in past participle precedented.
雙語例句
1. They're keenly aware that whatever they decide will set a precedent.
他們深知無論他們的決定是什麽，都將開創先例。
來自柯林斯例句
2. Would it not set a precedent? Would it not open the floodgates?
難道它不會成為先例嗎？難道它不會引發更多類似的問題嗎？
來自柯林斯例句
3. They were determined to break from precedent.
他們決心打破先例。
來自柯林斯例句
4. The ruling set a precedent for future libel cases.
這項裁決為今後的誹謗案提供了判例。
來自《權威詞典》
5. Is there a precedent for what you want me to do?