— precedentless , adj.
n. /pres"i deuhnt/ ; adj. /pri seed"nt, pres"i deuhnt/ , n.
1. Law. a legal decision or form of proceeding serving as an authoritative rule or pattern in future similar or analogous cases.
2. any act, decision, or case that serves as a guide or justification for subsequent situations.
adj. precedent
3. preceding; anterior.
[ 1350-1400; (adj.) ME praecedent- (s. of praecedens ) prp. of praecedere to go before, PRECEDE (see -ENT); (n.) late ME, deriv. of the adj. ]
Syn. 2. example, model, pattern, standard.