Final answer:
Stare decisis, meaning 'to stand by things decided,' is the legal principle where courts follow past decisions to ensure consistency and stability in the law. This helps create legal precedents that guide future judgements, balancing respect for historical rulings with the flexibility to adapt to change.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that means a particular legal issue was settled in another similar case, setting a precedent, is known as stare decisis. This Latin phrase means "to stand by things decided" and is a fundamental principle in the legal system where past judicial decisions are used to determine the outcome of current cases that are substantially similar.
Judges often look to precedent when making their rulings, ensuring that the law is applied consistently over time. While the U.S. Supreme Court has historically honored precedent, it has shown a willingness to overturn previous decisions when they conflict with advancements in human rights, civil rights, or states' rights.
Consequently, although precedent provides guidance, it does not bind the courts so tightly as to prevent the evolution of legal interpretations or the adaptation of the law to meet contemporary issues.