established precedent; existing example
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesnoun
established precedent; existing example or method
formalRefers to a ready-made case or established practice that can be cited or followed. Often used in formal contexts.
Fǎ法
yuàn院
zài在
pàn判
jué决
shí时
yuán援
yǐn引
le了
yǐ以
wǎng往
de的
chéng成
lì例
。
The court cited past precedents when making the ruling.
Tā他
bú不
yuàn愿
yì意
mó模
fǎng仿
yǐ已
yǒu有
de的
chéng成
lì例
，
xī希
wàng望
néng能
yǒu有
suǒ所
chuàng创
xīn新
。
He is unwilling to imitate existing precedents and hopes to be innovative.
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Gōng公
sī司
yǒu有
zhāo招
pìn聘
de的
chéng成
lì例
，
wǒ我
men们
xū需
yào要
àn按
guī规
dìng定
lái来
。
The company has an established precedent for hiring; we need to follow the regulations.
Wǒ我
men们
kě可
yǐ以
bǎ把
zhè这
ge个
àn案
lì例
zuò作
wéi为
wèi未
lái来
de的
chéng成
lì例
。
We can use this case as a precedent for the future.
Dǎ打
pò破
chéng成
lì例
xū需
yào要
yǒng勇
qì气
hé和
zhì智
huì慧
。
Breaking with established precedent requires courage and wisdom.