[stair-ee di-sahy-sis] 
| the doctrine that rules or principles of law on which a court rested a previous decision are authoritative in all future cases in which the facts are substantially the same. |
| Main Entry: | stare decisis |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | the principle in common law of adhering to precedent when deciding a legal case |
| Etymology: | Latin 'decided matters' |
| Usage: | law; v phr 'to be bound by precedents' |
A Latin phrase that literally means “to stand on the decisions.” It expresses the common law doctrine that court decisions should be guided by precedent.