(n): an item of information that is typical of a class or group
(n): (civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions
(n): the body of laws established by a state or nation for its own regulation
(n): a system of jurisprudence based on judicial precedents rather than statutory laws
(n): the collection of rules imposed by authority
(n): a subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time)
(n): the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
(adj): preceding in time, order, or significance
(adj): prenominal) (vs. succeeding) -- (existing or coming before
That which preceded; established protocol.