probatum exemplum (= established precedent). Anything becomes a sort of precedent to magistrates to, etc., aliqua res jus velut probato exemplo facit magistratibus (alicujus rei faciendae): precedents, exempla judicata (legal precedents, Auct. ad Herenn., 2, 10, 4): to be against the precedents, cum rebus judicatis dissentire.