1. a system of jurisprudence based on judicial precedents rather than statutory laws - common law originated in the unwritten laws of England and was later applied in the United States • Syn: common law, precedent • Topics: law, jurisprudence • Hypernyms: law, jurisprudence 2.(civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions • Syn: precedent, common law • Topics: civil law • Members of this Topic: service • Hypernyms: civil law