# clause

Pronunciation: say "KLAWZ" US /klɔz/, UK /klɔːz/

## Noun

1. A distinct section of a contract, will, or other legal document, setting out a single provision or condition.
   - Simple: A separate part of a legal paper, like a contract or a will, that states one rule or point.
   - _The contract's confidentiality clause prevented her from discussing the settlement._
   - _A late-payment clause in the lease let the landlord charge extra fees._
2. A group of words containing a subject and a verb, which may form a complete sentence or function as part of one.
   - Simple: A group of words that has a subject and a verb, used alone or as part of a sentence.
   - _A single sentence can contain several clauses linked by conjunctions._
   - _This clause has its own subject and verb, so it could stand alone._
3. A verb along with its subject and any modifiers; it is independent when it expresses a complete thought and dependent when it cannot stand on its own.
   - Simple: A verb with its subject and their extra words. It is independent if it makes full sense alone, dependent if not.
   - _The dependent clause "because it rained" cannot stand alone as a sentence._
   - _Joining two independent clauses with only a comma creates a run-on error._
4. A verb, the grammatical arguments it requires, and any optional adjuncts that modify them.
   - Simple: A verb together with the words it needs and any words that add detail to them.
   - _Each clause centers on a verb and the arguments it selects._
   - _Optional adjuncts can be added to a clause without changing its core meaning._
5. A component part of a statement or query, performing a defined role within the larger command.
   - Simple: A part of a computer instruction or search request that does one specific job.
   - _The WHERE clause restricts the query to active users only._
   - _Developers optimized the join clause to speed up the report._

## Verb

6. To formally amend a bill of lading or another similar shipping document.
   - Simple: To add a note or change to a shipping paper such as a bill of lading.
   - _The chief officer claused the bill of lading to record the water-stained cartons._
   - _Inspectors clause shipping documents whenever goods are loaded in damaged condition._

## Origin

This word came through Middle English and Old French "clause," from Medieval Latin "clausa," ultimately from Latin "clausus," the past participle of "claudere" ("to shut, close"). It is a doublet of "close."

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/clause (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).