clause

A section, phrase, paragraph, or segment of a legal document, such as a contract, deed, will, or constitution, that relates to a particular point.

A document is usually broken into several numbered components so that specific sections can be easily located. The Supremacy Clause, for example, is part of Article IV of the U.S. Constitution.

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clause noun article, caput, condition, conditiosine qua non, contract, covenant, exception, exemption, paragraph, pars, passage, phrase, provision, proviso, qualification, section, sentence, specification, stipulation, term
Associated concepts: commerce clause, commercial clause, enacting clause, escalation clause, forfeiture clause, granddather clause, incontestable clause, loss payable clause, most favored nation clause, penalty clause, residuary clause, saving clause, specific clause, spendthrift clause, standard mortagagee clause, sunsetting clause
Foreign phrases: Clausula generalis de residuo non ea complectitur quae non ejusdem sint generis cum iis quae speciatim dicta fuerant.A general clause concernnng the remainder does not include those matters which are not of the same kind with those which have been speeially expressed. Clausula generalis non refertur ad exxressa. A general clause does not refer to things exxressly mentioned. Clausula quae abrogationem excludit ab initio non valet. A clause which forbids its abrogation is invalid from the beginning. Clausula vel dispositio inutilis per praesumptionem remotam, vel causam ex post facto non fulcitur. A useless clause or provision is not supported by a remote presumption, or by a cause that arises afterwards. Clausulae inconsuetae semper inducunt suspicionem. Unusual clauses always arouse suspicion.

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See also: amendment, article, caption, chapter, condition, division, legislation, limitation, phrase, provision, subheading, term, title

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CLAUSE, contracts. A particular disposition which makes part of a treaty; of an act of the legislature; of a deed, written agreement, or other written contract or will. When a clause is obscurely written, it ought to be construed in such a way as to agree with what precedes and what follows, if possible. Vide Dig. 50, 17, 77; Construction; Interpretation.