Precedence, Precedent
The similarity of pronunciation is perhaps one cause of confusion between precedents and precedence, but the error also occurs with precedence and singular precedent.
The words are closely related in origin and meaning. Among the meanings of Latin praecēdēns are “a person who goes in front,” “a person who ranks above,” and “a prior event.” The noun precedence may have originated as an erroneous spelling of the plural of precedent, but it has acquired a distinct meaning of its own. Precedence means, “the fact of being above or ahead of another or others in order, rank, or importance.” A common idiom is “to take precedence,” meaning “to enjoy the right of preceding others in ceremonies and social formalities.” A site on diplomatic protocol for the country of Saint Lucia provides an example of this usage:
Things as well as people may “take precedence” in the sense of being esteemed above something else. An example of this use occurs in a speech by a prime minister of Singapore:
A precedent is “a previous instance taken as an example or rule by which to be guided in similar cases or circumstances.” A common idiom is “to set a precedent.”
In a legal context, a precedent is a judicial decision that constitutes an authoritative example for subsequent similar cases. For example: “Griswold v. Connecticut served as an important precedent in the Roe v. Wade decision.” (Description from DailyWritingTips) |