noun

• (law) A decided case which is cited or used as an example to justify a judgment in a subsequent case.
• (obsolete, with definite article) The aforementioned (thing).
  "A third argument may be derived from the precedent."
• (obsolete) A rough draught of a writing which precedes a finished copy.
  "My Lord Melun, let this be copied out, I did suppose it should be on constraint ; And keep it safe for our remembrance : But , heaven be thank'd , it is but voluntary , Return the precedent to these lords again"

adj

• (now rare) Coming before in a particular order or arrangement; preceding, foregoing.
  "In the precedent section mention was made, amongst other pleasant objects, of this comeliness and beauty which proceeds from women […]."

verb

• (transitive, law) To provide precedents for.
• (transitive, law) To be a precedent for.