clause

[ klawz ]
/ klɔz /

noun

Grammar. a syntactic construction containing a subject and predicate and forming part of a sentence or constituting a whole simple sentence.
a distinct article or provision in a contract, treaty, will, or other formal or legal written document.

Origin of clause

1175–1225; Middle English claus(e) (< Anglo-French) < Medieval Latin clausa, back formation from Latin clausula clausula

OTHER WORDS FROM clause

claus·al, adjective sub·claus·al, adjective sub·clause, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH clause

clause claws

Words nearby clause

claudine, claudius, claudius i, claudius ii, claught, clause, clausewitz, clausius, clausius cycle, clausthalite, claustral

Example sentences from the Web for sub-clause

British Dictionary definitions for sub-clause (1 of 2)

sub-clause

noun

a subordinate section of a larger clause in a document, contract, etc

British Dictionary definitions for sub-clause (2 of 2)

clause
/ (klɔːz) /

noun

grammar a group of words, consisting of a subject and a predicate including a finite verb, that does not necessarily constitute a sentence See also main clause, subordinate clause, coordinate clause
a section of a legal document such as a contract, will, or draft statute

Derived forms of clause

clausal, adjective

Word Origin for clause

C13: from Old French, from Medieval Latin clausa a closing (of a rhetorical period), back formation from Latin clausula, from claudere to close

Cultural definitions for sub-clause

clause

A group of words in a sentence that contains a subject and predicate. (See dependent clause and independent clause.)