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Say what? A glossary guide, take 3

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New York Mayor Bloomberg testifies during the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Sotomayor on C Reuters – New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg testifies during the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing …

Once again, we turn Senate-speak into plain English. Check it out:

STARE DECISIS (stair-ee dih-SIGH-sis):
Latin for "to stand by a decision." English for don't rock the boat. The idea that courts are bound by previous court decisions, or precedent, on questions previously raised.

SWING VOTE: The big kahuna. A judge whose vote will probably sway a divided court one way or the other.

Are there any other terms you want defined? Tell us at @AP_Courtside on Twitter.

-Nancy Benac, AP reporter, White House