clause
clauses
A clause is a group of words with a subject and verb. That kind of clause is handy when talking about grammar. Another kind of clause is a provision or stipulation in a legal contract.
Clause is a noun that comes from the old French clause, which, if we trace it way back, comes from the Latin clausula, “the end, a closing termination.” Around 1300, the “ending” implication of the word began to fade and was replaced by “article or section of a text.” In the grammatical sense, every sentence must have at least one independent clause. And in the legal sense, documents like prenuptial agreements or job contract often contain clauses.
-
a separate section of a legal document (as a statute or contract or will)
-
synonyms:
article
-
types:
- show 7 types...
- hide 7 types...
-
arbitration clause
a clause in a contract providing for arbitration of disputes arising under the contract
-
deductible
a clause in an insurance policy that relieves the insurer of responsibility to pay the initial loss up to a stated amount
-
double indemnity
a clause in an insurance policy that provides for double the face value of the policy in the case of accidental death
-
escalator, escalator clause
a clause in a contract that provides for an increase or a decrease in wages or prices or benefits etc. depending on certain conditions (as a change in the cost of living index)
-
joker
an inconspicuous clause in a document or bill that affects its meaning in a way that is not immediately apparent
-
reserve clause
a clause that used to be part of the contract with a professional athlete extending the contract for a year beyond its expiration
-
rider
a clause that is appended to a legislative bill
-
type of:
-
section, subdivision
a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)
-
(grammar) an expression including a subject and predicate but not constituting a complete sentence
-
types:
- show 6 types...
- hide 6 types...
-
independent clause, main clause
a clause in a complex sentence that can stand alone as a complete sentence
-
coordinate clause
a clause in a complex sentence that is grammatically equivalent to the main clause and that performs the same grammatical function
-
dependent clause, subordinate clause
a clause in a complex sentence that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and that functions within the sentence as a noun or adjective or adverb
-
relative clause
a clause introduced by a relative pronoun
-
restrictive clause
a subordinate clause that limits or restricts the meaning of the noun phrase it modifies
-
descriptive clause, nonrestrictive clause
a subordinate clause that does not limit or restrict the meaning of the noun phrase it modifies
-
type of:
-
construction, expression, grammatical construction
a group of words that form a constituent of a sentence and are considered as a single unit
Vocabulary lists containing clause
To seal their coven, keep their magic, and avoid being turned into toads, twelve-year-old Seven Salazar of Ravenskill must work with the bully Valley Pepperhorn and the new girl Thorn Laroux to defeat the Nightbeast.
This biography chronicles the life of Sojourner Truth, a woman who was born a slave, and who became the embodiment of the universal ideals of abolition and equality.
Have you got the write stuff? Find out by learning this comprehensive list of words related to writing. Here are links to our lists for the collection: Grammar, Reference, Drafting, Text Structure, Purpose, Argumentative Writing, Theme, Genre, Poetry, Plot Development, Literary Devices
Look up clause for the last time
Close your vocabulary gaps with personalized learning that focuses on teaching the words you need to know.
