The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Precedent \Pre*ced"ent\, a. [L. praecedens, -entis, p. pr. of praecedere: cf. F. pr['e]c['e]dent. See Precede.] Going before; anterior; preceding; antecedent; as, precedent services. --Shak. "A precedent injury." --Bacon. [1913 Webster] Condition precedent (Law), a condition which precede the vesting of an estate, or the accruing of a right. [1913 Webster]