2 uses
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Definition
an example from a prior time — typically used to justify similar occurrences at a later time (especially a judicial decision)
- It did occur to him that he could perhaps get some help by praying for it; but as the prayers he said every evening were forms learned by heart, he rather shrank from the novelty and irregularity of introducing an extempore passage on a topic of petition for which he was not aware of any precedent.2.1 — Book 2 Chapter 1 — Tom's "First Half" (47% in)
- It was not safe to be too confident, even about the best of men; an apostle had fallen, and wept bitterly afterwards; and though Peter's denial was not a close precedent, his repentance was likely to be.7.4 — Book 7 Chapter 4 — Maggie and Lucy (44% in)
There are no more uses of "precedent" in The Mill on the Floss.
Typical Usage
(best examples)