clause

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A group of words containing a subject and a verb, which may be a whole sentence or part of one.

   In grammar, a sentence can be made of one or more clauses.

2. 2
   noun

   A particular section or condition in a legal document such as a contract.

   The contract has a clause allowing either side to cancel.

From Middle English clause, claus, borrowed from Old French clause, from Medieval Latin clausa (Latin diminutive clausula (“close, end; a clause, close of a period”)), from Latin clausus, past participle of claudere (“to shut, close”). See close, its doublet.

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