Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PRE-CE'DENT, a.

Going before in time; anterior; antecedent; as, precedent services; a precedent fault of the will. The world, or any part thereof, could not be precedent to the creation of man. – Hale. A precedent condition, in law, is a condition which must happen or be performed before an estate or some right can vest, and on failure of which the estate or right is defeated. – Blackstone.